Williams drop appeal over Massa’s Brazil exclusion

Williams have decided not to pursue their appeal against Felipe Massa’s exclusion from the results of last Sunday’s Formula 1 Grande Premio Petrobras do Brasil 2015. Massa lost his eighth-place finish at Interlagos after stewards ruled that his right-rear tyre had been above the maximum permitted temperature ahead of the start of the race.

Williams immediately declared their intention to challenge the verdict, and whilst they remain convinced they have the necessary evidence to successfully contest the ruling, the team have decided the matter is not worth pursuing given the legal costs involved and the fact that it does not affect their place in the title standings.

In a statement, Williams confirmed that they "will not formally appeal the decision as a hearing date is unlikely to be available until after the end of the season impacting a time when the team wishes to turn its attention to its 2016 campaign.

“Given the financial climate of the sport, and the fact that the decision does not impact the team’s constructors’ championship position, it has been decided that this would be an unnecessary cost to endure.”

Massa’s team mate Valtteri Bottas finished fifth in Brazil, ensuring Williams of third place behind Mercedes and Ferrari in the 2015 table.