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Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton has flown to Singapore with his integrity intact after a demanding court hearing in Paris.

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Hamilton will on Tuesday discover whether the evidence he gave will move him a step closer to his dream of becoming Formula One world champion.

Lawyers representing McLaren, the FIA and Ferrari initially argued for two hours whether the appeal to a retrospective 25-second drive-through penalty imposed against Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix 15 days ago was admissible.

Following an adjournment, Hamilton then stood up to the test of effectively being put on the stand, with the 23-year-old holding firm under cross-examination from Ferrari's counsel, Nigel Tozzi QC.

At one stage Hamilton rounded on Tozzi as he attempted to explain the incident, stating: "Are you a racing driver? No!

"I have been a racing driver since I was eight years old and I know pretty much every single manoeuvre in the book, and that's why I'm the best at my job.

"We are talking about a skilled driver under intense pressure making a split-second decision which no-one, not unless they are in Formula One, can comprehend."

The five judges - Xavier Conesa (Spain), Philippe Narmino (Monaco), Erich Sedelmayer (Austria), Harry Duijm (Netherlands) and Thierry Julliard (Switzerland) - will examine McLaren's grounds to appeal.

FIA rules state a drive-through penalty is "not susceptible to an appeal", in contrast to a standard time penalty such as the one handed to Vitantonio Liuzzi after last year's Japanese Grand Prix.

The Italian, then with Toro Rosso, had 25 seconds added to his race time for passing Spyker's Adrian Sutil under waved yellow flags.

McLaren barrister, Mark Phillips QC, who acted on behalf of Spyker on that occasion, won the appeal case, allowing Sutil to claim the team's only point of the season for finishing eighth.

Phillips argued that as Hamilton did not drive through the pit lane for his penalty, the punishment in this instance simply relates to time, and is therefore subject to an appeal.

If the judges side with McLaren, they will then look at Hamilton's corner-cutting move on reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen and determine whether he gained an advantage.

Although Hamilton immediately ceded the lead back to Raikkonen down the pit straight at Spa at the start of lap 43 of the 44-lap race, he swiftly attacked into the ensuing La Source hairpin.

Video footage was analysed in great detail, to which Hamilton added: "Your heart is battling whilst you are racing.

"The last thing I wanted to do is crash into him. When you have gone so far, you want to finish the race.

"We had a great battle and there was no need to take stupid risks, so I had to cut the chicane.

"I've since studied the footage about 10 times and I can remember it vividly like it was yesterday.

"I believe I then gave the advantage back. I honestly, hand on heart, feel I did so."

At stake is six points which - if McLaren and Hamilton successfully overturn the stewards' decision - will see him increase his lead in the drivers' standings over Ferrari's Felipe Massa from one point to seven points.

Emerging from the hearing, Hamilton breathed a sigh of relief the day was finally behind him, stating: "It was long and intense.

"I said what was on my mind because in that position you can be talked down to. But by no means am I an idiot. I had a right to my opinion.

"But I am very, very proud of my team because I am amazed at how much work and attention to detail went into it.

"There were much better things I could have done with my day, like prepare for the next grand prix in Singapore, but today was a very important issue.

"I was unfortunately penalised, so it was good to come here and put our point of view, as well as listen to other people's opinions.

"But whatever happens I am not worried either way. I just hope the judges see the truth.

"I am a racing driver, driven by excellence. It's what I do. It's what I enjoy doing.

"I am now just going to focus on my next race and hopefully winning there.

"At the moment, as I see it, I am one point ahead and that's how I will go into it."

Hamilton will learn his fate when he lands in Singapore on Tuesday. On Monday night he flew out of Paris en route to the Far East via Zurich.