Contrary to previous reports, after many hours of deliberating race stewards at the Hungaroring have opted to drop Fernando Alonso five places to sixth on the starting grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Furthermore, McLaren will not be allowed to score Constructors' Championship points from the race.

A statement issued by the stewards read:

"The actions of the team in the final minutes of qualifying are considered prejudicial to the interests of the competition and to the interests of motor sport generally.

The penalty to be applied is that such points (if any) in the 2007 Formula One constructors championship as accrue to the team as a result of their participation in the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix will be withdrawn."

Referring specifically to Alonso's part in the incident, the stewards said:

"Because of the delay caused by Alonso, Hamilton was unable to complete his pit stop in time sufficient to enable him also to complete a flying lap.

The stewards find that he unnecessarily impeded another driver, Hamilton, and as a result he will be penalised by a loss of five grid positions."

The decision comes nine hours after the qualifying incident took place, and has led to all manner of speculation, not helped by the powers that be failing to provide any worthwhile information in all this time.

It is the racing, as opposed to the politics and chicanery, that interests the man on the street. Having watched qualifying, or indeed the race, he wants to know whether the result he sees on his TV is valid, and if not why. Only in Formula One can spectators be left for hours, weeks even, before having the result officially confirmed.

How odd that at a time when all manner of correspondence between team bosses, the FIA and sporting authorities is being made freely available, getting information on the actual racing is like getting blood from a stone.

What an utterly pathetic way to run a billion dollar sport.

There are times it seems that that certain people involved in this sport seem hell-bent on destroying it.

To check out our Hungary qualifying gallery, click here