MOTOR RACING: FIA sets date for fuel ruling

MOTOR RACING

Formula One's governing body, the FIA, has set 13 April as the date to hear the appeals into the disqualifications of Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Schumacher, the defending world champion, and Coulthard finished one-two in Sunday's season-opening race in So Paulo, but were disqualified five hours later when Schumacher's Benetton-Renault and Coulthard's Williams-Renault were both found to be using irregular fuel.

The hearing will take place in Paris four days after the next race, the Argentinian Grand Prix. The Williams team said the delay would not affect the team's preparations for the 9 April race. A Williams spokesman said: "The fuel is handled by Elf, and their tests have come out satisfactorily."