PARIS — McLaren’s appeal of the decision of stewards at the Brazilian Grand Prix not to penalize teams  over the alleged use of “cool fuel” was thrown out Friday by the FIA Int’l Court of Appeals.
The decision confirms Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen’s status as World Champion. Had the appeal been upheld, McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton, who finished one point behind Raikkonen in the World Championship standings, would have been elevated two spots in the grand prix’s finish, gaining enough points to overtake Raikkonen for the title.
Williams and BMW Sauber — the teams ahead of Hamilton — were investigated following the race after data suggested their cars had run with fuel cooler than the permitted temperature, a move that would have enhanced performance of the vehicles. But stewards decided there was insufficient evidence to penalize the teams.
The FIA’s findings validate that decision.
Hamilton reiterated in a statement on the McLaren Mercedes Web site that he did not want to win the World Championship in court.
“As I have said all along, Kimi deserved to win the 2007 World Drivers’ Championship, and neither I nor anyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes had any desire to take it off him in court,” Hamilton said. “That was not the purpose of the team’s appeal. I am looking forward to the 2008 season and racing Kimi, and all my other rivals, on track and, hopefully, be able to go one better than the second place I achieved in this year’s World Drivers’ Championship.”
According to reports, Ferrari's lawyer Nigel Tozzi told the hearing on Thursday it would be a "serious injustice" for Raikkonen to be stripped of his title.
“It would be highly damaging for the sport if the title were to be won this way with the fans probably feeling it was more about grubby maneuvring by the lawyers than by skill behind the wheel,” he said.
“As McLaren have always said, the championship should be decided on the racetrack and not in the courtroom.”

“Today, a final and desperate attempt to change the result obtained on the track was rejected. Now, all our efforts are focused on preparing for next season.” - Ferrari CEO Jean Todt

Ferrari CEO Jean Todt said he is glad the matter is settled and the team can move forward.
"The decision of the ICA finally brings to an end a very intense season, both on and off the track,” declared Todt. “Today, a final and desperate attempt to change the result obtained on the track was rejected. Now, all our efforts are focused on preparing for next season.”

Here is the complete FIA Court of Appeal statement:

“The FIA International Court of Appeal met in London on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, to examine an appeal lodged by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) on behalf of its licence-holder Vodafone McLaren Mercedes against the decision (document 41) of the Panel of the Stewards of the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix dated 21 October 2007 and counting towards the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship.
“Following a report from the Technical Delegate indicating that the temperature of fuel pumped into the cars N°9 - Nick Heidfeld, N°10 - Robert Kubica, N°16 - Nico Rosberg and N°17 - Kazuki Nakajima, was more than 10 degrees centigrade below ambient temperature, the Stewards of the Meeting met to consider whether a penalty should be imposed. Having heard the evidence they decided not to impose a penalty as they had sufficient doubt as to both the temperature of the fuel on board the car and to the true ambient temperature.
“Having heard the explanations of both parties and having examined the various documents and other evidence, the Court decided that the appeal lodged by Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is inadmissible.
“The International Court of Appeal was presided over by Mr Jan STOVICEK (Czech Republic), elected President, and composed of Mr John CASSIDY (United States), Mr Vassilis KOUSSIS (Greece) and Mr José MACEDO e CUNHA (Portugal)."