Singapore Grand Prix: Toyota Protest Rejected
Following the finale of the Singapore Grand Prix, this weekend, Toyota launched a protest against a Sebastian Vettel pitstop, deemed ‘unsafe’ by the Japanese marque.
Toyota’s complaint that Vettel was released unsafely into the path of their German driver Timo Glock was rejected by the stewards following examination of video footage, and interviews with the drivers involved.
This means that Vettel will keep his fifth place result from the Grand Prix, and sees Toyota remain fifteen points clear of Scuderia Toro Rosso, with three rounds remaining.
Renault Support Single Engine Plans
FIA President, Max Mosley, proposed earlier this week that all Formula One teams should use the same engine, and it seems that only Renault supports that move.
This proposal was a major topic on the agenda at recent meetings of the Formula One Teams’ Alliance (FOTA).
Reports suggest that only Renault back the plan, probably because they feel cheated under the current regulations, but Red Bull, who run Renault engines in the back of their cars, may be forced to toe the company line in the event of a vote.
FOTA rules state that regulation, such as a single engine supplier, would require a 7-3 vote in favour as a minimum.
Neal’s View: Renault feel agrieved that Mercedes and Ferrari have made progress with their engines, legally, despite the current engine freeze. The Regié believe that other engine manufacturers are not playing in the spirit of the rules, but as both Ferrari and Mercedes engines have been inspected by the FIA in order to ensure compliance with the regulations, the Enstone squad do not have much of a case. A single engine supplier would remove another important variable, as we see Renault and Ferrari engines suit different types of circuit and provide more variation.
Singapore Grand Prix: Heikki Plays His Joker
McLaren-Mercedes have announced that Heikki Kovalainen utilised his ‘free’ engine change prior to today’s qualifying session at the Singapore Grand Prix.
All drivers are permitted one ‘joker’ engine change this season, and after noticing some wear on Kovalainen’s engine, opted to play that card.
Mercedes’ motorsports boss Norbert Haug said:
“We have changed the engine in Heikki’s car as a precaution.
“We saw a little bit of usage in the engine and this is a joker engine – so there is no grid penalty applied. The decision was taken yesterday.”
Haug insisted that the move was merely precautionary, and would not have been taken under last season’s rules, where there was no ‘joker’.
“If there was not a joker engine we would certainly have done nothing, and the chances that we would not have a problem are really high.
“It is a critical time of the year and if you have it available you should use it. We have had very good reliability so far. If you see only a risk of one or two percent, maybe it is even less, then you should use it if you can.”
Fellow McLaren driver, and Drivers’ Championship leader, Lewis Hamilton still has his ‘joker’ to play with four races, including tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix, remaining.
Neal’s View: This penalty-free engine change helps keep the top drivers racing each other. However, the rules are there for a reason, and should an engine fail, the same penalty should apply if it is the first time, or the twentieth.
Singapore Grand Prix: Overtaking harder than Valencia?
Felipe Massa - Ferrari
Ferrari’s Felipe Massa believes it will be harder to overtake in Singapore than it was at the processional European Grand Prix at Valencia. The city-state is preparing to hold it’s first Grand Prix this weekend under floodlights.
“Saturday will be very important. I’ve never driven on the Singapore track, but it’ll be even more difficult to overtake compared to Valencia, because the straights are even shorter.
“These days it is not very easy to overtake in Formula One. The cars have great aerodynamic downforce, [and] when you are behind a car you lose downforce.”
Street circuits, like Monaco and Valencia, are notriously difficult places to overtake, and even though a number of opportunities are expected to be presented by the challenge of the Marina Bay layout, combined with a strong possibility of monsoon-like rain in the evenings, safety is an issue for the drivers with no one being clear on the effect of reflections from puddles on track and rain drops will be.
This unique event will complicate drivers’ preparations further, with the stars flying out as late as possible, eating breakfast in the afternoon, dinner at midnight, and trying to sleep in the early hours of the morning.
Neal’s View: We are seeing more processional races, which is not good for the fans. As soon as we see some action, like at Spa, the FIA step in and clamp down on it. Hope I can find a television to watch it from though.
Hamilton: Cocky or Comedian? You Decide!
Below is part of a courtroom examination between McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari lawyer Nigel Tozzi:
Hamilton: 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.
Tozzi: Stop personalising the issue… [I am] under instruction from Ferrari who know as much about Formula One as you do!
Hamilton: With respect, I doubt it.
So, Lewis Hamilton; cocky or comedian – you decide! Click here
La Source-gate: Drivers Have Their Say
Felipe Massa:
“What happened is that he took an advantage by cutting the chicane.
“You can ask drivers how many overtaking moves you see there.
“None between the last corner and the first corner, because there is such a small straight there. That is my opinion and it doesn’t change.”
Sebastian Bourdais:
“I think it is very clear, the rules are clear. Maybe the penalty is very hard but he has made the same mistake twice, he did in Magny-Cours and he did it in Spa.
“I don’t really understand why there is such a mess around it, there is a rule book and everyone has to obey the same thing. The penalty is rough but it is up to you to give the position back.”
Nico Rosberg:
“He did have an advantage because he would not be so close if he had not cut the chicane but the penalty was a bit harsh as it did not have a big result in the end result. But it won’t stop us from trying to attack definitely.”
Jarno Trulli:
“I agree the penalty was quite big but I am not a steward. But it is also clear he got an advantage.
“The rules are very clear, if you cut the chicane you get the advantage you have to drop it and lose advantage, in Lewis’ case he should not attack in the first corner that is it.
“This last chicane, they have a lot of run off area they give you more chance to attack because in case of mistake you won’t end up in wall or gravel. We have more chance to overtake.”
Giancarlo Fisichella:
“I just seen pictures so difficult for me to say if it is right or not what happened. For sure maybe he took a small advantage that is why he had the possibility to overtake him again in braking for Turn One, but obviously 25 seconds penalty was quite a strong penalty.”
La Source-gate: McLaren Appeal to be Heard this Month
Hamilton's penalty
The FIA, Formula One’s governing body, announced on Wednesday that the appeal against McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s demotion at Spa-Francorchamps, from first to third, is likely to be heard before the end of this month.
She said the Paris-based governing body is hopeful the International Court of Appeal can deal with the matter before the teams head out to Singapore, for the first-ever night grand prix late in September, thus enabling the title fight to continue with both contenders clear of their positions.
23-year-old Briton Hamilton gave his first press interview since the Belgian grand prix.
He said he still feels he did nothing wrong during his fight for the lead with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, in what has become known as La Source-gate.
“If I had done something wrong, I would be the first to admit it. As a sportsman, this is something that is very important for me.”
He said it did not take long to reflect on the news that the three-man panel of stewards had annuled his race win.
“I do not feel guilty so there is nothing that I have to digest. It would be another matter if I had let my team down, but I did not.
“I feel like I deserve ten points instead of six. On the other hand it could have been zero if I had damaged my car in the difficult conditions.”
Neal’s View: Does anyone, seriously, expected the FIA to make a correct decision? The organisation has lost much credibility over its continued bias towards Ferrari.
Ferrari To Confirm Alonso At Monza? Or Is Alonso Off To BMW?
Renault's Fernando Alonso
Formula One fans will be waiting with baited breath ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. It is when Ferrari traditionally reveal their lineup for the following season. Fans of the sport are waiting to find out whether world champion Kimi Raikkonen will retire, making way for former double world champion Fernando Alonso.
Fernando Alonso insists he is not part of those plans.
The Spaniard has said that he does not expect the Finn to retire this year.
“Ferrari tend to confirm their drivers at Monza. I don’t think there is going to be a surprise.”
Alonso also revealed that he thought his Renault team was lacking half a second per lap, purely because of the weaker engine.
He also took the time to dismiss team boss Flavio Briatore’s claims that “at least two more podium finishes” will be coming from the final five grands prix of the season.
When asked how he feels about his teammate Nelson Piquet Jnr. being the only Renault driver standing on the podium this year, Alonso said:
“It is going to be really difficult to be on the podium in the rest of the year, but I do not see it as a failure.
“In comparison with my teammate, this has been my best season ever. I have always been in front of him. He got a podium after a great race and with lots of luck.”
Meanwhile, BMW-Sauber boss Mario Thiessen refused to deny growing speculation Alonso has signed a three-year contract to drive for the Hinwil-based squad from 2009.
The chequered flag had barely fallen at Spa-Francorchamps before it was reported that the Spaniard would replace German Nick Heidfeld.
Thiessen told German newspaper Bild:
“I do not take part in speculation.
“Our driver decision has been postponed. At the latest we will announce our drivers at the end of the season.”
BMW spokespeople were also not available for comment.
However, the Spanish sports newspaper Marca believes BMW-Sauber will confirm the Alonso signing on Monday, after this weekend’s Italian grand prix at Monza.
Neal’s View: Many thought he was Ferrari-bound, but the BMW rumours refuse to go away. I would rule out Honda, but it could be any of BMW-Sauber, Ferrari, or staying with Renault.
STR Extend Ferrari Engine Deal
STR3: Ferrari Powered
Italian Scuderia Toro Rosso’s team chief announced that the Faenza-based team will continue to use Ferrari’s customer engines. With the team’s STR3 chassis performing so well at present, and the senior Red Bull team comparatively struggling with their inferior Renault power, despite using a nearly identical car, it had been rumoured that Renault-powered Red Bull Racing might attempt to take over STR’s Ferrari contract. Ferrari handed the engine deal to STR at the start of 2007 in order to take the Renault deal.
Japanese driver Takuma Sato’s forthcoming test, meanwhile, stirred speculation that Toro Rosso might be considering using Honda engines.
In a statement, Franz Tost confirmed that Ferrari’s 2.4 litre V8 is the main reason behind the team’s strong showings of late.
“We are very happy with our arrangement with Maranello, which indeed is why we have recently extended our supply agreement with them.”
Tost also said the team is happy with its current driver lineup, including Sebastien Bourdais, whose future on the grid is in doubt, despite a strong showing in the Belgian Grand Prix.
“We are happy with both of them.”
“As for Bourdais, after a difficult period, he too has stepped up a gear in the past few weeks, as could be seen from the fact that, until the very last lap in Belgium, he had out-performed his teammate.”
Neal’s View: Ferrari push the limitations of the regulations to the absolute limit, so the Ferrari engine will always be strong.
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