Formula One:Lewis Hamilton tonight admitted he wants to win the Formula One world title on the track - not in the courts.
McLaren have served notice to the FIA of their intention to appeal the result of yesterday's Brazilian Grand Prix.
Stewards initially discovered Williams driver Nico Rosberg and the BMW Saubers of Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld were in breach of a technical regulation relating to fuel temperature irregularities.
However, following a three hour investigation, they were cleared as the stewards declared there was "sufficient doubt", otherwise they could have been disqualified.
That could have resulted in Hamilton being promoted to fourth, and so winning the world title after agonisingly losing out to Ferrari star Kimi Raikkonen by a point.
Despite team-mate Fernando Alonso's claim that Hamilton "would be delighted" to win the title in such a fashion, the 22-year-old is adamant he would be far from happy.
"I don't believe it will happen," said Hamilton. "For me I want to do it on the track, and in style, by winning the race, or after battling it out for the lead.
"So being promoted after some people have been thrown out is not the way I want to do it. If I became world champion that way, it would feel weird.
"After Kimi did such a fantastic job, winning the last two races, to have it taken away from you, it's a bit cruel and probably not good for the sport."
But in a season when McLaren have been hauled over the coals for so many infringements, in some people's eyes there would perhaps be a sense of retribution were they to win an appeal.
Hamilton concedes there is a point to the argument, adding: "I don't know for what reasons they (the team) are pursuing it. I am sure they'll be good reasons.
"But as I've said, as a team we want to win it on the track, fair and square. It's just not the way to do it. The season is over and done with and we should move on.
"But if we were underweight, or our wing was incorrectly put together, then we would be thrown out.
"You have to stick to the rules, and if you have broken the rules then action should be taken. If they are wrong, they're wrong."
Critics, though, will see McLaren's intention to appeal as sour grapes, especially after their defeat to Ferrari in the spy case.
Yet by way of explanation, McLaren F1 boss Martin Whitmarsh has insisted the team's fight is not with Ferrari, but rather they are doing it for their fans.
"We were surprised at, and don't really understand, the stewards' decision," said Whitmarsh.
"Therefore, we feel if we had not lodged our intention to appeal we would surely have been criticised by fans and Formula One insiders alike for not supporting our drivers' best interests.
"But I want to stress our quarrel, if you can call it that, is not with Ferrari or Kimi Raikkonen.
"On the contrary, Kimi won the race fair and square, and Ferrari did a good job to finish first and second. Our argument is with the stewards' decision in relation to the cars of Rosberg, Kubica and Heidfeld."
Some people believe Hamilton should not have been in a position to win the world title in the first place.
FIA president Max Mosley argued that Hamilton and Alonso should have been kicked out of the championship following the spy case in which the team were stripped of all constructors' points and fined £50million.
McLaren, though, have until Sunday to confirm whether they intend to pursue an appeal, or let the matter rest.
Regardless of what transpires, Hamilton is confident he will win the championship the way he wants to - and that is on the track.
"Last night was good. Ron (Dennis) did a speech and we had a great evening," added Hamilton
"It rounded off the whole year, and it has been a phenomenal year, with the support from the team. It has been a real pleasure to be a part of the team.
"I'm extremely proud of them, extremely proud of my family and everyone who has supported me to get where I am today.
"Later in the evening I felt it more, and it's tough on everyone, but there's always another year.
"I'm only 22, and there are going to be plenty more opportunities for me to win the world championship, and I have no doubt that we can do that in the future."