Singapore Grand Prix: Qualifying Results

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Final Classification
Pos/Driver	Team	Q1 Time	Q2 Time	Q3 Time
1. Felipe Massa	Ferrari	1:44.519	1:44.014	1:44.801
2. Lewis Hamilton	McLaren-Mercedes	1:44.501	1:44.932	1:45.465
3. Kimi Raikkonen	Ferrari	1:44.282	1:44.232	1:45.617
4. Robert Kubica	BMW-Sauber	1:44.740	1:44.519	1:45.779
5. Heikki Kovalainen	McLaren-Mercedes	1:44.311	1:44.207	1:45.873
6. Nick Heidfeld	BMW-Sauber	1:45.548	1:44.520	1:45.964
7. Sebastien Vettel	Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari	1:45.042	1:44.261	1:46.244
8. Timo Glock	Toyota	1:45.184	1:44.441	1:46.328
9. Nico Rosberg	Williams-Toyota	1:45.103	1:44.429	1:46.611
10. Kazuki Nakajima	Williams-Toyota	1:45.127	1:44.826	1:47.547
Eliminated After Q2
11. Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:45.642	1:45.038
12. Jenson Button	Honda	1:45.660	1:45.133
13. Mark Webber	Red Bull-Renault	1:45.493	1:45.212
14. David Coulthard	Red Bull-Renault	1:46.028	1:45.298
15. Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:44.971	No Time
Eliminated After Q1
16. Nelson Piquet Jnr.	Renault	1:46.037
17. Sebastian Bourdais	Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari	1:46.389
18. Rubens Barrichello	Honda	1:46.583
19. Adrian Sutil	Force India-Ferrari	1:47.940
20. Giancarlo Fisichella	Force India-Ferrari	No Time

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.

19,000+ Formula One Fans Sign Petition Against Penalty

Formula One fans have taken their disgust at the stewards decision at the recent Belgian Grand Prix, La Source-gate, to demote Lewis Hamilton to third by setting up an online petition to send to the FIA.

http://www.petitiononline.com/belgp08/petition.html

Formula One Blog cannot tell you which way to vote, but our readership seems to be singing from the same hymnsheet, with only one comment saying Hamilton got what he deserved.

UPDATE: 09/09/08 22:49 (BST): 27,982 signatures

UPDATE: 10/09/08 11:05 (BST): 32,226 signatures

Belgian Grand Prix: Hamilton Penalty Update

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton received support from an unlikely ally, when Stefano Domenicali, boss of the Ferrari team, has come out and called Hamilton’s pass on Raikkonen, which resulted in a penalty dropping him from first to third, a “racing incident”.

Former three-times World Champion Nikki Lauda added his voice to the raft of people supporting Hamilton, in what should now be called La Source-gate. The Austrian added:

“This is the worst judgment in the history of F1, the most perverted judgment I have ever seen.”

The other news regarding the incident surrounds whether an appeal will be heard. As the 25-second penalty was technically a “drive-through penalty”, McLaren may not be allowed to have their appeal heard. Should they get their day in court, it will likely be a month away, after two of the last five rounds of the World Championship. Fans will have to wait until October for this weekend’s results to stand.

Formula One Blog will continue to update the Championship Standings at other tracks, but will exclude the result from Spa as it is still only a provisional result. The Belgian Grand Prix results will be included only once they have been confirmed by the FIA.

Alonso Signs Shock 3-Year BMW Deal Whilst Honda Wait

Fernando Alonso

Paddock gossip at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix revolved around Renault driver Fernando Alonso’s future.

Italian broadcaster Sky reported that the Spaniard had signed a three-year deal with Hinwil-based squad, BMW-Sauber.

However, Alonso remained tight-lipped about his future, revealing:

“For weeks I have said I will only consider my future at the end of September. My priority at the moment is to help Renault to fourth place in the constructors’ championship.”

At the same time, Honda team chief Ross Brawn has revealed that his Brackley-based squad are still trying to tempt Alonso to the Japanese marque.

“We are just waiting.

“My view is that he’s the best driver in Formula 1 at the moment and we’re happy to wait and hope that he makes a positive decision for us.

“The reason I think he’s the best driver in Formula 1 is balance of experience and ability.

“To me there are three very quick drivers [Hamilton, Raikkonen, Alonso] who have established themselves so far in Formula 1.”

Neal’s View: Alonso has been suspected to have a Ferrari deal in place for 2010. Raikkonen looked interested in the sport at Spa-Francorchamps, so maybe he is not ready to retire yet. If he has signed for BMW-Sauber, then this cannot be the case. Honda will not confirm Rubens Barrichello until they know that Alonso is not available. If Alonso wants a one-year deal before joining Ferrari in 2010, Honda is his only option.

Behind The Barriers: Ferrari International Assistance Rears It’s Ugly Head Once More

Ferrari fans, look away now! You will not like what I have to say.

Firstly, let me make it clear: I do not support any individual driver, nor any particular team. I support the sport – which descends in to a farce on days like these.

For those of you that did not see today’s race, towards the end, Raikkonen pushed Hamilton wide at the Bus Stop chicane, Hamilton subsequently had no option but to cut the corner, gaining the lead in the process. To avoid a penalty, Hamilton let Raikkonen reclaim the lead, before re-passing him at La Source. Fearing a penalty, Ron Dennis went to check with FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting as to whether the move was legitimate, and Whiting said it was. Although the stewards are independent of Whiting, he attends every race and knows what has happened in the past. Had Whiting declared the move illegal, McLaren would have let Raikkonen back through again. At the end of the race, Ferrari put in an official protest, although they deny this, and the stewards imposed a penalty of 25 seconds to Hamilton’s time. Due to the last few, torrential, laps squeezing the pack together, this was very costly as Hamilton was demoted from first, to third.

This is not the first time that McLaren have been harshly treated by the sport’s governing body, the FIA – or Ferrari International Assistance, as Paul Stoddart dubbed it. If we look back to last year when McLaren were thrown out of the Constructors’ Championship, during the ‘Spy Scandal’, for using Ferrari information on their car, not many people listened to what the two culprits, Mike Coughlan (McLaren) and Nigel Stepney (Ferrari), had to say. They revealed that the information passed was two-way, not one-way, meaning Ferrari were using McLaren’s intellectual property on their car. The FIA did not even investigate these claims.

That’s not all. At last season’s Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren were stripped of any Constructors’ Championship points they would have won after a squabble between Lewis Hamilton and then-teammate Fernando Alonso. In what was an internal dispute, the FIA had no right in interfering. But it did.

Suspicians are also raised by Ferrari’s Felipe Massa about this event. At 11pm, a journalist asked Massa: “It looks like nothing’s going to happen tomorrow?“, to which Massa replied: “No, no, no, no… Alonso’s been penalised and McLaren will score no Constructors’ points.” Remember, this was at 11pm, the official announcement was not made until 11.35pm – more than half an hour after Massa knew the outcome. It sounds suspicious to me!

Another example is the Italian Grand Prix, Monza 2006. Fernando Alonso had his pole position time taken away from him for ‘blocking’ Ferrari’s Felipe Massa. It did not matter to the stewards that Massa was not even in the same television camera shot. Telemetry showed Massa 1.6km down the track from Alonso. It also proved that Massa had lost no time because of Alonso. But the FIA stewards still punished the Renault man.

If we look back at the last race, Ferrari were penalised €10,000 for releasing Massa into the path of Adrian Sutil in the pit lane. Ferrari claimed that there was no sporting advantage, and the FIA accepted this as a good reason for a low penalty. Yet if we look at the regulations, Article 23.1 i states:

“It is the responsibility of thecompetitor to release his car after a pit stop only when it is safe to do so.”

There is no mention of whether a sporting advantage is gained or not. Only, whether it was safe of not. The stewards decision to delay the investigation until the end of the race was also unusual. That only usually happens if someone crashes out, or if it happens in the last 10 laps.

So I finish by asking the FIA, what on earth are you doing? You treat the fans like idiots! And we deserve better from you!

Belgian Grand Prix: McLaren to appeal against Hamilton penalty

It has been revealed tonight that McLaren-Mercedes have put in an appeal to the FIA over the stewards’ decision to penalise Lewis Hamilton. Here is the statement:

“We looked at all our data and also made it available to the FIA stewards. It showed that, having lifted, Lewis was 6km/h slower than Kimi as they crossed the start/finish line.

“Having passed the lead back to Kimi, Lewis repositioned his car, moving across and behind Kimi to the right-hand line and then outbraked him into the hairpin. Based on this data, we have no option other than to register our intention to appeal.

“We are a racing team and now focus on Monza, with a view to extending our lead in the drivers’ world championship.”

Neal’s View: Hamilton’s penalty was grossly unfair – FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting said McLaren were in the clear, had he not done, Hamilton would have let Raikkonen through again. But I’d say it is odd-on that the appeal will be rejected without even being considered.