Following a motor racing court of appeal on Friday, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Saturday that they would annul the Trulli disqualification on the grounds of “a breach of the right of defence."

The court of appeal met to decide whether Jordan or British American Racing (BAR) finished fifth in the Formula One championship and a successful appeal is rare, so the result is all the more welcome.

“The international court of appeal has allowed the appeal of Jordan Grand Prix on the grounds that a steward was absent during the hearing of the team at the United States Grand Prix," the FIA statement read. “The court found this was a breach of article 134 of the International Sporting Code (which provides that all decisions by the college of stewards should be taken collectively) and thus a breach of the right of defence."

Team boss Eddie Jordan said: “We are very satisfied with the outcome of the appeal and delighted to have our fifth place in the 2001 world championship for constructors confirmed."

Eddie wanted to overturn the disqualification of Trulli from fourth place at the U.S. Grand Prix, a decision that cost them two points and fifth place in the constructors' standings.

Trulli was excluded after his Jordan's skid block failed a post-race technical inspection, but his team always argued that his car sustained damage in a scrape with the Sauber of Kimi Raikkonen.

Jordan's successful appeal lifted the Silverstone-based team into fifth place in the final constructors' standings on 19 points, above Honda rivals BAR who slip to sixth.
The appeal means that Jordan will get millions of dollars more prize money for the 2001 season, the team move up the pitlane, ahead of their Honda rivals and also Fisichella & Sato will drive car number 9 & 10 rather that 11 & 12.