Atherton went on to lead England a further 43 times . - Three laps from the end of the race in Melbourne , with the safety car out , Jarno Trulli 's Toyota briefly left the track and Hamilton moved ahead of the Italian from fourth into third place . - Although no overtaking is permitted behind the safety car , this did not count because Trulli had left the track . - Hamilton told his team that Trulli had run wide but McLaren Mercedes , unable to confirm this with the stewards and concerned that they might be penalised , ordered Hamilton to cede third place to Trulli , which he did . - Hamilton failed to tell the stewards this in the subsequent inquiry , giving them the impression that Trulli had overtaken him under the safety car .