Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton has failed in a bid to have a six-point penalty overturned after an FIA International Court of Appeal Hearing.

Twenty-three year old Lewis Hamilton will now head into the final four grands prix of the Formula One season in possession of a narrow one-point lead after McLaren's appeal against his drive-through penalty at the recent Belgian Grand Prix was ruled inadmissible.

On Monday Lewis Hamilton spent five and a half hours at an FIA International Court of Appeal hearing in Paris hoping the decision of the stewards to demote him from race winner to third on the back of the 25-second penalty would be overturned.

If successful Hamilton would have seen his lead increase to seven points over Ferrari's Felipe Massa, but the five judges have upheld the stewards' ruling.

Video: This weekend sees Hamilton and McLaren race in the first ever Formula 1 night race. Watch fellow F1 team Toyota's preparations for the Singapore Grand Prix