Red Bull’s appeal against Daniel Ricciardo’s disqualification from second place in the Australian Grand Prix will be heard on April 14, motorsport’s governing body the FIA said on Friday.

The appeal will be heard at the FIA’s Paris headquarters by the body’s international court of appeal.

Red Bull had made it plain ever since Ricciardo lost his runner-up spot to Nico Rosberg in the Melbourne stewards room on a technical infringement that they would challenge the ruling.

“Despite the eventual outcome in Melbourne, I still feel really good about my performance in the race and throughout the weekend,” said Ricciardo on Friday.

“Obviously it would be nice to get the 18 points, but I’m happy that I still stood on the podium and that was a great feeling. I know I did a good job and I can take that with me to the next race in Malaysia.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner absolved the Australian of any blame.

After a marathon hearing, stewards in Melbourne said the 24-year-old’s car was not in compliance with F1 regulations after he exceeded the maximum fuel flow, or rate of fuel consumption, of 100kg/h.

It made Ricciardo the first casualty of new limits on fuel load and fuel flow introduced this year.

“It is no fault of Daniel. I don’t believe it is the fault of the team,” Horner told Australian media.

The appeal will be based on the accuracy of the fuel flow meters issued to the teams.

AFP