The first corner; the chicane; the Bourdais incident

Turn One

Several hours after the race and we have been reviewing the first corner on the moniters. In the background, I can report that many of the most experienced correspondents are mystified about why Lewis was penalised as, of course, are McLaren who believe there was nothing unusual at the first corner and certainly nothing that merited a penalty.

Looking at it again, you can see that Lewis brakes hard and late and crosses ahead of Kimi and then runs wide. It looks as though it is after Lewis rejoins, or as Lewis is re-joining, that Kimi then gets pushed wide by Heikki. Presumably the stewards interpreted Lewis's actions as precipitating what happened behind him. It is, at the very least, a confusing sequence and I would like to see it about 20 times more, and in slow motion, to try to make a judgement.

The chicane incident

Lewis has said Felipe hit him deliberately, Ron agreed; Felipe claims Lewis pushed him into the gravel(two wheels went in, I've checked that) and that he had nowhere to go. The stewards saw Felipe in the wrong.

Bourdais and Massa

I haven't seen this again. On first viewing I thought it would be Massa who was going to get penalised, not Sebastian. However, Ferrari are adamant that Felipe was ahead and was turning in when Sebastian hit him.

It would be great if the stewards published an explanation for their decisions as I understand they may do next season, if not before. Incidentally Lewis wrecked his tyres at Turn 1 and it was from that point on that a pit-stop was inevitable. It is an index of his state of mind at that stage that, despite the condition of his tyres, he then attacked Felipe.

 

Comments

[Hedgebull]

Just Seen it on the ITV website, Bourdais has been handed a 25 sec penalty for the incident with Massa, bumping Massa up a place and a point.

It also benefits Vettel & Webber, but seeing as there wasn't really anything else Bourdais could have done I'm amazed at the unfairness of it.

Also wondering where the investigation of Massa's move on Webber has got to, but of course there won't be one as that would penalise Massa out of the points.

[Moyletra]

Good to see the stewards taking some action regarding banzai moves in the first corner. F1 has had the potential for major accidents since the Schumacher start line chop was tolerated. Maybe this is the start of a tightening up. Hamilton's move caused a compression and ultimately Coulthard's accident was a result of this.

My thoughts are drawn to a remark that Hamilton made last year about the driving standards of "the monkeys" down the field ... perhaps he should not have been such an animal himself. He may rue this at the end of the season - maybe 2007 was a deja vu. He needs to calm down - a championship is won by consistency not always by race wins (e.g. Priaulx in WTCC, Loeb in WRC). Paddy Hopkirk was believed to have said to finish first, first you have to finish.

Massa got a deserved penalty but wouldn't have been in that position but for the Hamilton T1 move...but should have been penalised for the Bourdais incident. Maybe one cancelled the other out, although Bourdais deserves better luck.

Kovalainen proved that McLaren is really a one man team - no luck for the number two driver! But then at T1 Lewis seemed to be racing against him as well

Well done Alonso, despite the T1 incident he probably would have been on the podium anyway. If only Renault had made the reliability changes that Ferrari and McLaren got away with at the beginning of the season.

[DJ Rodrigues]

gotta say that anyone who was worried that Lewis' driving style may be adversely affected by caution in the face of the world championship has been proven spectacularly wrong - he's as mental as ever.

should be a great finale from here.

[Alex]

This is way beyond a joke.

The FIA is not Ferrari International Assistance, it is Ferrari In Action.

Lewis' "offence" against Kimi was no way as serious as Kimi's deiberate driving Lewis off the road at Spa. Felipe's deliberate cutting of the chicane and lunge into Lewis deserved a Black Flag, but tehn again so did Kimi's car when bits started dropping off the exhaust. The penalty against Bourdais as opposed to Felipe is just another sick joke in this litany of anti McLaren FIA bias.

Mad Max is determined to play out his personal vendetta against Ron Dennis and destroying any credibility F1 still has is just collateral daamage.

[Bob]

I am dumbfounded by the Massa/Bourdais incident. It was a bit suspicious that it was an "investigation after the race" when there was plenty of time left (15 laps was it?), and now this!

I've seen it replayed twice and thought the FIA bias would only extend so far as to ensure Massa got no extra penalty, but to claim it's Bourdais' fault?

That's just absurd.

Did anyone else notice when Max Mosely did his big "future of Formula 1" interview, he had a scale model Ferrari on his desk...

This year's script is for another Ferrari win, game over everyone, let's not bother with the last two races. It's a foregone conclusion.

[Simon]

The first corner incident seems quite debatable. It looked to me like KR did have to go off the road due to LH out-breaking himself (which is technically a punishable offence I believe), but it seems very inconsistent with the fact that such incidents occur on almost every F1 start (albeit usually further down the field). What were the special circumstances that triggered the penalty on this occasion, compared with the numerous others?

The FM / LH chicane incident was the most clear-cut of the 3 (regardless of who was involved). Not much worth debating on that one.

The Bourdais penalty on the other hand, seems completely uncalled for. I read Bourdais' comments on AutoSport after the race and I have to agree - he did nothing wrong. It was FM who took the risk that caused the incident. No penalty required either way surely?

Equally baffling was the fact that the incident occurred on lap 52, and yet the 25s penalty was handed out after the race. Even Bourdais eluded to the fact that this seemed to be an excuse to hand FM another point after the racing was over. Out of all the controversial incidents lately, this one stands out as being the most partisan.

[Jose-Luis]

I mainly agree with all your conclusions after reviewing the images. But, the question which remainds in my mind is: why Hamilton makes again the same error than last Brasilian Grand Prix? Why Hamilton tries to overtake Raikonnen in the first curve? Why none talk to this pilot and say to him: ey! be quiet! to be second after Raikonnen is good for you! The race is long enough! This is just the first curve! From my point of view, is really difficult to be a championship with this temperament.

[Chris H]

It's really confusing why S.B. has been penalised here.

I know rules and interpretations change over time, but I can remember Schuie forcing Heinz Harold Frentzen onto the grass and subsequently out of the race a few years back, and receiving no penalty.

[Ted S]

Japanese GP: Where is this all leading?

There has been an increase in penalties for racing incidents over the course of this season. I guess with increasingly intense business interest we are moving to a litigious mentality that is ripping the soul from Formula One. Ironically this is happening just as a promising batch of young racers appear in the sport (e.g. Vettel, Glock, Hamilton, Bourdais & Kubica).

Taken to its natural conclusion we'll have 26 lane tracks with each car unable to get close to their competitors for fear of reprisals.

I respect that some of the decisions are made to enforce safety but the first corner incident and poor Bourdais being penalised for Massa turning in on him seem harsh. In both these cases as with Lewis at Spa, I believe the drivers acted in good faith in a difficult situation. Are the stewards saying they were deliberate? Was an advantage gained?

I am certainly getting frustrated by races won and lost in the stewards office rather than on the track.

[marieg]

With regards to turn one, Fernando did force a lot of cars to go straight that's why Kubica and Alonso was able to take the lead. With Massa, I did expect a clash between Hamilton and him, just as what happen between Kimi and Hamilton for the past few races; but of course with Massa the racing incidents are heightened because of the championship at stake; and I believe both were duly penalized. In coming out of the pits, I observed the other pit exits by the other race cars and I guess there is some ruling stated or implied that when you exit the faster car on the track must pass first. Although I must admit, I thought that Felipe was too eager with his move. But I guess as a Ferrari fan I rather see Felipe be aggressive than be passive.

[Mr Beezle]

Lewis ruined his chances with too much racing aggression. I'm a Lewis fan and today, after waking up at 4.30am, I feel deflated.

On the face of it the penalty on Bourdais looks very iffy, which is how the majority of viewers and the media will report it.

From a technical racing point of view Bordais leaves the pit with the blue flag showing (blue light actually, but the same affect). This is a warning to Bourdais to be aware of oncoming cars - in this case Massa, but Bourdais cannot be fully aware of how close the car is at the time. Further, Bourdais cannot know in advance what line the car is going to take, so he takes the only line that least compromises his own race.

Massa was closing in on Bourdais and should have read the situation to the point that he should at least give room, so as not to compromise his own race, or that of others. Massa had an instant penalty - he lost time because he spun.

You could say they were both at fault and leave it at that. But to give Bourdais a penalty which results in a 3 point loss vs a 1 point gain to Massa, is extremely harsh.

Torro Rosso will already know from McLaren's attempt to appeal a time penalty that lodging an appeal is a waste of time.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: drivers should be encouraged to race, not to be constantly concerned that the moves they are making could influence the race result after the race completes. All these post racing penalties do is discourage drivers from pushing whilst on the track, confuses the media and worse annoy the fans.

[third eye]

I think these sanctions have something to do with the conspiracy theory...
It was said that Mosley had order his men to hand out tough sanctions to UK team, as he was of the opinion that they were responsible for this year's scandal that had dented his image. In short a revenge mission.
As well, that Renault had anticipated their next year intensive development before the session's end, so as to be the decisive Team that can undermine Hamilton's possibility to win the championship. In short to conserve Alonso's youngest WC record and be able to retain Alonso for next year.
Any one to confirm the reliability of these comments?

[Lisa]

Ed, a photographer by the name of John Townsend was apparently showing photographs from turn 1 on the media bus after the race, he was positioned at turn 1 and has the full sequence: Lewis braking massively late and fully out of control; Kimi looking over as if to say “What the…?”; Kimi getting biffed by both McLarens; and Felipe being forced off the circuit entirely. Have you seen these or anything similar?

[Gary M]

So I have had some time to consider the astounding decisions made during (and after) the race today. That plus repeated viewings of the replays available on YouTube I have a good idea of exactly how and why the penalties were dished out.

Turn one:

This one was an easy decision for the stewards to make, as soon as they saw the events of The chicane incident (see below) they knew 100% that they were going to have to penalise Massa. It is my opinion that realising that they then had to find a way to balance it out and ensure that Lewis remained behind Massa.

It is no coincidence that the news of a stewards investigation was announced it was into cars 1,2 and 22. Yes, they lumped both incidents into the same investigation and as soon as I saw that I knew that Lewis was to be punished too.

It must be noted that no other car was under investigation for what happened during turn one, despite the fact that many drivers seemed to get caught out by cold tires and out-braked themselves during the corner. Even Heikki who actually pushed Kimi off the track was not under investigation.

Yes, Lewis clearly got himself out of shape and out-braked himself. He was too eager and probably too was caught out by the cold tires. But this kind of incident happens all the time and I have never seen it penalised. A really awful decision by the stewards.

The chicane incident:

I do not believe for one minute that Massa would do that on purpose but I do think he deserved the penalty. He went wide at the chicane allowing Lewis to pass him on the inside. He went off the track of his own accord and cut the chicane fully with all four wheels off the track. He could have avoided Lewis but chose to try and get past him.

Lucky for the stewards that the turn one incident happened, it made their job much easier.

Bourdais and Massa:

Simply disgraceful decision. There is no other way to describe it. Bourdais did nothing wrong, he came out of the pits and was back on the track when Massa came up behind him. He stayed on his line, at the very edge of the track and took the bend. He was fighting for track position all he did was keep his line. Massa simply turned into him as though he did not realise he was there, or maybe Massa just assumed that Bourdais would slow down and let him past?

Probably the worst stewards decision I have ever seen. I never thought that Massa should have lost his point because of it, I did actually give him the benefit of the doubt and called it a racing incident. But to say I was gobsmacked to find out that Bourdais had been penalised is certainly an understatement.

Awful decision that does everything to convince me even more that there is a vendetta against McLaren and that Ferrari are being given every possible assistance to stop McLaren from winning.

What a terrible decision to make. There have been far too many awful decisions this season, I have never known a Formula 1 season like it. What is going on?

[RichyS]

Utterly, utterly astonishing.

I give up.

At least I have my Sundays to myself from now onwards.

[Simon Brock]

With regard to the 25 second penalty handed Bourdais post-race, it's very clear on reviewing the footage that the mistake was Massa's. Massa was approaching fast from behind and to the left as Bourdais was coming out of the pits, and would have clearly seen him doing so. Bourdais was the slower car and was keeping himself on his line at the right hand side of the track as dictated by exiting the pit lane. Massa just decided to drive all over him as if he didn't exist, leaving Bourdais nowehere to go other than off track. Massa totally misjudged the corner, and for him to be rewarded with an extra point as a result of this is disgraceful. Massa should have been given the penalty, not Bourdais. Another dumb FIA decision; another undeserved post-race leg-up for Ferrari, and another example of the need for full-time stewards who might know what they're doing.

[Mr Beezle]

For me it is simple as this - Formula 1 is no longer enjoyable to watch because the stewards are ruining the sport with their inconsistent decision making.

[O Rhyg]

Mr Beezle, I could not agree more. The problem started last year. Well, last year decisions were not inconsistent. They were consistently ridiculous, favoring Lewis Hamilton. Curious that no brit complained about it until this year when the New Kid on the block seems to get punished for everything he does. He deserved todays penalty and so Massa. Bourdais and Massa - well just a race incident I would say (but so was Kubica and Hamilton last year - exactly the same than this when curiously was Kubica the one punished). You did not complain last year, did you?

[Santiago]

For the people who do not understand what has happened in the first corner.

Hamilton regrets first corner move.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71343

[Fred]

Ferrari International Assistance strike again. Bourdais was absolutely and blatantly cheated and it's clearly no surprise that Massa benefited as a result of the penalty.
The FIA are now so blatant in their Ferrari bias they don't even try to make it look unintentional!

[Michael Grinks]

Massa's hit was deliberate? This is a serious accusation I should think. I would certainly believe that there are drivers who would do something like that, but not Massa. At least from my impression of him. Ron thinking it is true lends some credibility to the idea. But maybe there is some lingering anger and frustration at McLaren regarding the seeming pro Ferrari bias in F1 these days-- not to mention the the witch hunt nature ( in my opinion) of last year's "spy" scandal--that prompted this reaction . If so, I hope they win it this year if for no other reason than to rid themselves of the emotional baggage of the last two years.

[John Prendergast]

No inconsistency about the aim of all F1 stewards so far this year-Get Lewis Hamilton and suck up to FIAT, sorry, I meant Ferrari/Mosley/Euro Maffia. Having made that statement of the obvious,I concede that Hamilton is too hot headed and unstrategic still.

[Anon]

If I were a steward today, I wouldn't have imposed penalties on everyone.

Two things I learned from reading the comments:

1.) Bourdais was warned by blue lights that a car was oncoming. It helps justify the penalty a bit. A little bit.

2.) hamilton did change trajectories- maybe that was his fault?

3.) Planet F1 have no dignity. Again they gave Lewis overtaking move of the race for no good reason. His pass on Massa got him overtaken by the pack and his car damaged. Felipe's on Webber was about ten times better and more exciting.

[Ian Abrahams]

Remember the old days when Ian Paisley would talk about SinnFein IRA to make it clear he saw them as one and the same? Well, Ferrari FIA struck again today with the Bourdais penalty, as ludicrous a piece of 'decision' making as we've ever seen in F1. Is there really intelligent life at work in the running of this 'sport' because from sitting on the sofa watching the TV it just seems run by a bunch of guys with a death-wish for the thing they are supposed to be in control of. How bizarre.

[José-Luis]

Does nobody comment about the LH error in the race start? Nothing after has happen if LH had remained below Raikonen.

[Iain]

I've repeatedly rejected comments from my F1 friends that Ferrari are getting preferential treatment but the last three races have convinced me that something is up. The SB decision cannot reasonably be passed off as fair, something is up.

[Matt, Bristol]

Seems like I'm in agreement with everyone else, pretty much:

1. Excellent drive from Alonso. Well done.

2. Lewis completely stuffed up his first lap. Personally I feel his penalty is harsh, but only because we haven't formerly penalised drivers for complete muppetry, even if it did delay others. On the other hand, given the chaos caused by his two errors (very poor start and massively overcooking it into the first corner) I'm not really complaining.

3. Massa penalty - seems fair enough. Can't blame Hamilton for making the pass when Massa ran very wide.

4. What on earth is going on with Bourdais' penalty? He looked to be alongside and right up on the kerb. Massa seemed to be the one making the pass, which was for position, so surely its his responsibility to leave enough room.

Is any other footage or explanation available?!

Can we have professional stewards please? Perhaps ones who have driven? Please?

[Colin]

Regarding the Bourdais incident:

He was given the "blue flag" while exiting the pits meaning there was a car coming at him at 190mph and thusly needed to yield.

[Lisa]

Ian and Iain, I understand the blue light on the pit exit is to warn drivers there are cars on the track as they exit, and this was discussed in the driver's briefing pre-race. In which case it would appear to be SB's fault, sadly.

[A Parker]

DJ Rodrigues, that made me laugh: “he’s as mental as ever”. Yes, that’s why he’s so watchable. But then he gets criticised for that and also criticised if he is conservative. He can’t win (won’t win) can he?

I wonder if Kubica and co will be whinging about Bourdais not accepting his penalty graciously or is it only Lewis they have it in for? (The latter I think.)

Gary M, as I’ve said before in answer to your question “what is going on?”: pro-Ferrari + racism = the season with the most ridiculous penalties EVER seen. You can believe it or not. If even Ed (ever the non-committal, “non-biased” or is that blind observer) thinks Lewis’ penalty was wrong, then something really serious must be up!

[MarkB]

The blue light is a warning light, it does NOT mean, "slow right down and lose track position". SB was fighting Massa for track position. How many times have we seen pit exit scrapping over places - its part of the sport every weekend, I'm its all the better for it. Frankly I thought SB was too fair and should have closed Massa out to the outside curb to hold the place. Instead he gave as much room as possible and Massa made a mistake - simple racing incident. No penalties needed for anyone, least of all SB. If you can't see that, then you are simply not an F1 fan, as this continued 'penalize everything' attitude is killing the sport.

[Third eye]

Alonso just said he will help Massa if he had the chance to do so because he believe Kimi may not want to do so. All to stop Hamilton at all cost.
I said earlier that Renault recent car evolution was to stop Hamilton from breaking alonso´s record of being the youngest F1 WC. The other comment that Mclaren is been made a scapegoat will as well be a news very soon. Watchout!
But I think the possibilities for Hamilton depends exclusively on no other person but Hamilton himself hand, he is blowing it up himself, and can only save the title by himself.

[Gary M]

Lisa, Colin,

There are always cars coming down the pit straight when you exit the pits, there is a car race in progress, it is to be expected. The blue light is a warning to be careful and nothing more.

It does not mean that you have to stop at the edge of the track and wait for a gap in the traffic, it is not a roundabout on the A515. Bourdais was racing Massa and had every right to re-enter the race and defend his position.

Re-watch the race again and tell me how many people came out of the pits and immediately began racing. Your idea that Bourdais was somehow in the wrong is absurd. He kept to his line and was in front of Massa, Massa should have avoided him. The crash was entirely Massa's fault.

[????]

I do not know if this message will be posted.

I can confirm that Fernando Alonso signed a 3 year deal with Ferrari this afternoon. Santander is behind the move. This will be made public after the Brazilian GP. This is for 2009, yes, not 2010 or 2011.

Sorry but I can not give my name.

[Anon]

OK, I'm going to make one post about these penalties. One.

1.) The First Corner. I think they slightly touched. This video makes it sem like they touched but it goes on slo-mo just after the colision, which is misleading.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H5KReYtyew

If they did touch, the penalty is justifiable. Lewis went crazy with his line, shoved Heikki out of the way, and could easily have lost control. If I were a steward, I would not have done anything, however. But the penalty is justifiable.

2.) Massa/Hamilton- I think Felipe lost his cool, and I like him for it. He wasn't going to get walked all over like in Germany. This guy's starting to resemble Schumi more and more. Now imagine if Fernando did that... Again, I probably wouldn't have given a penalty. If you argue that Lewis lost control on the chicane in Belgium, then you can argue that Felipe also lost control.

3.) SB should have first off noticed the blue lights. He criticized Massa afterwards saying that FM was going to pit again so why bother. THe problem is, why did he bother? He could easily have braked. I have the feeling drivers don't do enough of it. Why get stuck in a turn by a guy you'll finish ahead of anyway instead of braking and letting him through?

China: By my calcs, if Lewis wins in CHina and Felipe finishes fourth, Lewis wins the title. If Lewis doesn't win, he needs to take six points or more off of Felipe to win the title. So Lewis can finish second and with Felipe sixth, the title would still go to the wire, albeit hugely in Lewis's faovr.

I have the feeling that Lewis losing his grip. I think Singaore must hurt him mentally. After weeks of claiming to drive conservatively, he got stampeded by 19 unmerciful drivers. He's gone six races without a win, Fernando is winning, it must be driving him nuts.

But then again, the best we have seen from Lewis has always been when we left him for dead. He could easily wrap up the title in CHina. He has done well on circuits he did badly on last year.

I really think Lewis could strike back wildly and win. I think he will.

But it would not be the first time that Lewis cracks time. Last year, he struck unlucky twice in a row- Brazil, China.

I think the pressure must be huge. I also thinks he wants to win more than ever. He wants it all to end, I think.

Meaning his nerves will be strained like hell. CHina will be amazing. Kimi will be wanting to avenge himself, Felipe seems to driving recklessly, and the rest of the grid doesn't want him to be champ.

But this race seemed to be a bit of the boiling point. If Kimi clobbered Lewis in China, it would probably be a bit obvious...

My preds for China:

Lewis
Kimi
Felipe

Don't ask why.

Also, Lewis's car has still neer been broken. I wouldn't be surprised to see an engine blow in Brazil. But Felipe would have to survive China to take advantage of it.

Robert needs to outscore Lewis by at least three points to keep the title challenge alive.

It'll be big- either it will fall for Lewis or Lewis will fall.

Interesting fact- on every circuit he won on in '07, he took pole in '08. In all of those races, he finished out of the podium.

[Nicholas De Silsky]

I am really amazed. People saying "F1 is like mafia".

Oh my God, don't you remember that last year Mr. Mosley and his "euromafia" stole 6 points to Fernando Alonso in Hungary? It is clear that they stole him the World Championship.

How do you dare now to talk about unfair business in F1??

Amazing, really...

[Jordi]

We can talk about penalties all day, but the bottom line is that LH blew it in turn one.

For a couple of races this year, he appear to have learnd from last year rockie mistakes and I thought that he could become DWC, but he blew it again, he is tottaly anable to stay cool when it matters the most.

Many people may say that they like a driver that takes risks, me too!! But to win a championship you need more than that. You need to know when to attack and when to be defensive, if you don't know that, you probably will end up having lots of fans, lots of accidents, penalties and a few wins, no champion material.

I hope Hamilton doesn't become the driver that many people want to watch, thinking...Where is he going to blow it today? (wasn't Montoya a bit like that?).

A Parker, what's your view on the events yesterday at Wembley?

Regards

[Bob Gardiner]

A plea to the FIA - remember it is called motor racing. The stewards are so jumpy we will soon be having penalties for one pit crew eating too many icecreams.

[Ex-Steward]

The reason why Bourdais gets the penalty is contemplated in the ‘rules’ and has been for many years. Think of a two way road with a continuous line separating both lanes. Think of this line as the 'imaginary' line. In a 'fight' between two cars, one exiting pit lane and the other one as incoming traffic, the driver whose tyres are in front at the level where the imaginary line cuts/reaches the corner is the driver who gains passage preference - not the one who may be visually in front in the ideal racing line (which would apply in any other race conditions).
Please observe that Massa's car tyres are half a meter in front of Bourdais’ (looking at that 'imaginary' line). Massa is not allowed by the rules to 'invade' the pit lane exit (and this is why this rule exists).
Like it or not, Bourdais was the only one who could be penalised. Stop blaming the stewards for everything. Many people did blame the stewards for last year's decisions but, curiously, those who did not complain last year are the ones complaining this year. Is this because this year the decisions do not seem to be coming in your preferred driver's favour?

[Javier]

Turn one : After checking the start several times, Lewis move was nonsense, this guy flips out when someone overtakes him (Interlagos, Bahrein, today). He has to work on that. But I am not sure he should have got a penalty though.

Chicane : The clearest and less debattable move. Whether it is on purpose or not, Massa had to be given a DT. Kovalainen / Webber at Spa, do you remember?

Bourdais : I do not believe in the FIArrari conspiracy theory, but as at first sight this penalty is ridiculous, stewards should issue some very detailed statement about the reason why Bourdais got 25secs added to his time.
Bourdais was getting out of the pit, yes, but he was ahead of Massa. As he was not racing Felipe (who had to stop) he may have let him through so he had not to defend his position. But Felipe drove as if Bourdais did not exist. He could have gone a little bit wider. Bourdais has 0% responsibility in this incident.

the worst side of today´s penalties? When something like the last incident will happen again, someone will get a penalty, just so stewards claim that they have some consistency. I do not know why as stewards are consistent. Their decisions always follow the same idea : you never know what is going to happen when those three men get into "the decision room"

[miguel_Albacete]

Hello from Spain.

I read this blog everyday, I like Ed's comments and the others. I learn a lot.

Here I give my small contribution to the blog, the air view of the first corners of Fuji.

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xq5Q07SOxs

Greetings, Miguel.

[James B]

Todays race showed to me that both lewis and massa are raw and still not the finished article. Lewis is still in his second season and learning the ropes Massa whilst showing glimses of brilliance also has the ability to show complete incompetence.

Lewis - He got a terrible start which I attribute to the pressure of the situation and then as we know he tried to make it up at the 1st corner. The irony for me here is that he actually pushed Kimi into braking even later. Lewis got carried away and the penalty that came sets a new precedent - again.

Massa - He lives in a dream world some times. His quote says he ran a little wide! Well he was more than a little wide. Lewis should have squeezed him like Kimi did to him at spa but he didn't and Massa then basically took lewis out. He did the same to DC in Aus remember. I don't think it was deliberate thou just incompetent.

Then we had his incident with Bourdais. Massa was trying to pass where there was no room, just stupid. I feel Bourdais has been CHEATED and really feel fo the guy. I truly hope he stays at Toro Rosso as he has kept Vettel honest which in time may prove to be quite a feat.

Ironically we watched Alonso show that he is the class driver in the field and showed how to drive. Lewis will get there soon, but I remain unconvinced that Massa ever will.

[Javier]

Ed, lookup this video carefully as it might change your view on the first lap (and watch fast before they get it out):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xq5Q07SOxs

For if they have taken it out, one can see that HAM renjoins almost side by side ALO after turn 1. It then looses his nerves watching ALO keeping his positition and turns wide at turn 3, so he rejoins between MAS and RAI wich is the key to the incident with MAS.

This is a key piece of the race which nobody talks about.

And for the record: although I'm from Spain I think that the penalty to HAM on turn one was not fare, it shoould be "race incident" (a silly one, but a race incident)

[Prostonso]

Dear Sirs,

If you check some youtube videos or you get a chance to see a picture on Massa vs Bourdais incident, it is clear how Massa cross the white line before Bourdais (is just half a meter) and so Bourdais had to back out mandatory and let Massa overtake him. As it was contact and Massa spun, here it goes the penalty for Bourdais.

Though the penalty is so bitter for Bourdais, the rules are the rules, and in this case the stewards were right, as they were with all penalties on today's race.

Of course we should point out how F1 has become a sport of non touch and consequently any race incident is being penalised.

I would say that the stewards had stated a standard this year and they won´t back out from that. So let's hope next year they begin judging from zero and we can recover the old time racing atmosphere where gentlemen were just racing each other.

[third eye]

Jordi, you are trying to weigh two wrongs and maybe the lesser can the right. In UK there is a permanent red card to all those acts (London police show), that should be the best aspect to focus and not to justify shameful acts by trying to weigh them on scale. They will sure remain equal, a wrong is a wrong no matter which one is lesser.

[Pinaster]

You keep on talking about ...? C´mon, we all know LH is the next´s years champion What are you afraid of?

[A Parker]

Jordi, I did answer your question but it is in the other blog about the race. Please do read it.

[Richard]

ANON - "He could easily have braked. I have the feeling drivers don't do enough of it"

My God, we really have lost sight of what real racing is about on this blog.

Yes, let's encourage more braking, that will really raise excitement levels to fever pitch!

[JOSU]

One question, Ed. How many of the 'many experienced correspondents' are British? The accident in the chicane is very simple for you: "The stewards saw Felipe in the wrong". Why don't you apply the same logic to the first corner incident? Cheer your pilot. It's natural. But to become totally blind to his errors, and pretend at the same time to be non-biased .....

[Gary M]

Jordi,

Completely off topic but you have raised it and I am surprised that nobody has challenged you.

The booing of Ashley Cole during the England match had nothing to do with racism and everything to do with him being a poor player.

What it gods name makes you think it was racist?

You think that someone boos a black player there can be no reason other than race?

The fact that you assume it was racist says a lot to be honest.

[Richard]

Did anyone else notice the cheering of the Ferrari mechanics after Massa rammed Hamilton into a spin. You could be forgiven for thinking this was the response to a superb overtaking manoeuvre, not the response to a clumsy, illegal move at best and a cynical professional foul at worst. Now I can see where Massa gets his unsporting attitude from.

The footage is halfway through this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbB1NbZqwn4

[willy]

All I know is that Lewis is once again digging his own hole just like last year. He's a real liability to a team that base on the tools they have, shouldn't have any problems to win the championship.
Luckily for mclaren there are not real threats at the moment to challenge Lewis for the championship.
I think formula 1 is in need of more experienced drivers that will know when to attack instead of this type of kids that are just learning as they go.
No experienced driver will push as hard as Hamilton in the first corner knowing that he didn't have enough space to break and then wait for an absolution that will make him get out of that situation in first place...that's very childish!!!
He was very lucky he didn't hit no one. that could've had give him a penalty into the next race in china and then things were going to get really hairy for him.
Fortunately for Hamilton Massa has proven himself to be a mediocre driver that will not take advantage of any opportunity that had been given to him starting with that red ferrari machine that should be good enough to win the championship, not to mention that there hasn't been no one winning consistently this hole year.
To be a champion, you need to have a good car and be a real driver from the A to the Z...In this year scenario we have to pizza delivery boys with the best two cars on the grid and eventually one of them is going to win...Sadly neither one is necessary the best!!

[pepito]

1st corner

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xq5Q07SOxs

[snoopy]

Well...again Gorman here try to do what ever to make Lewis Hamilton looks innocent.
I have been reading articles from different newspapers about that firts corner. And most of them (not english sure) have said that it was all Lewis fault. Even Lewis HIMSELF said that. So who is right? Gorman or Hamilton?

Other thing is that penalty. Well it really did not make big differents after that accident with Massa. Game was over allready for Lewis.

LAst question is that IF Lewis is so good driver why in earth he could not come with some points when even Massa could? and massa had drive threw penalty as well????

Most experince F1 journalist have said that Lewis has problem to control himself. We saw that last year and we have seen it again in this season.

Other drivers have turned against him..not because he is good driver..because his attitude. Plenty of F1 fans have turned against him because his attitude and i am not talking about spanish and Alonso fans.

I have followed F1 races last 20 years and even Schumacher did not have that bad attitude problem. He was bad and rude in race track but outside everybody still respected him. Howmany drivers respect Lewis? Nobody as far as i know.

Even his own team mate Heikki Kovalainen is changing his attitude toward Lewis. Heikki do not say it in english interview but when you listen finnish interviews there are different tones.

Lewis is brilliant driver no doubt about that, but he has huge attitude problem and Ron Dennis, english media and his father has made him believe that he is better than anybody ever been.And that every penalty what he get from race is wrong becaue he never do anything wrong.

What kind of driver turns against his own team and goes to FIA to complain about team order? He did in last season.

Lewis is very very lonely in race track at the moment and he should not be supprise if every other driver would help Massa to win WDC. Those monkeys from back grid ,like he called them, havee enough and real F1 fans have enough.

Sorry to see brilliant , talentet driver going soooo wrong way.

[Oscar]

Hamilton school, please look this video until de second corner. does he knows where is the track??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhbwX89kK28

[Demian]

Well, if Lewis should be penalized, it should be for a horrible start, not worth of a WDC.
I have to agree that the turn 1 penalization is going too far, never heard in F1 history.

What I still don't get is what's going on in the head of this guy.
He's not behaving like a real champion on the track. He's still making silly mistakes. Hasn't he learned anything from last year?

He looks like he still needs 5 more minutes in the oven. Very sad.

I'm happy for Renault and Alonso, albeit, too late for anything significant this year (I hope he stays at Renault at least for 2009, the team suits him.)

Anyways, 2 races left and no clear winner. Let's see what other surprises awaits us.

[P Jordan]

We have nearly seen all the chicanery that can be pulled by FIA and the stewards to give their mates at Ferrari an advantage. It is beyond a joke and an insult to the paying public, but perhaps they are all prancing horse fan anyway. The incident with Bourdais and the penalty was ridiculous, but of course I am forgetting the other car was a ferrari so he must have been in the wrong. Hamilton gets hit by a car that is coming back on the circuit after an error and effectively puts him out of the race and what
make is the car, um a ferrari and the driver um-err Massa. One gets the feeling that if Hamilton wins both of the last two races the title will be stripped from him retrospectively for having four wheels on his car. It has become farcical.

[GP]

"[t]he imaginary line cuts/reaches the corner..."

Ex-Steward, can you clarify your statement?

[mangstadt]

People keep complaining about Lewis' performance, cracking under pressure (which he does quite often; I don't think he is worthy of being a Tag-Heuer sports ambassador), making mistakes, being hot-tempered, long-tongued, etc.

I have to admit that I've come to enjoy and admire the way he drives when he's at his best and that he's a much better driver than last year, considering that now there is no traction control--that could be a possible explanation for many of the driving errors we have witnessed this season.

As far as the drive through penalties are concerned, I can't improve on what Gary M explained above and I agree with him 100 per cent.

It might be a wise move for McLaren to keep Lewis out of the next race and put Pedro de la Rosa in his car instead. Maybe the FIA stewards would get the point and at least they wouldn't have to be scrutinising the race footage to see where is the best place and excuse to demote Lewis or promote Felipe (well, they can always promote Felipe even if Lewis is not racing). If they had any sense of integrity they might blush in embarassment, but come to think of it they paint their faces red before each race anyway.

They were certainly harsh on Fernando Alonso last year--the decision to demote him 5 grid places in Hungary was appalling and proved decisive in the end. This year they're consistently taking it out on Lewis, re-writing the rule book at Spa and now at Fuji. OK, it was a wreckless, ungraceful start by Lewis but then starts are very often messy and ungraceful--especially if you have a Ralf Schumacher or a David Coulthard on the grid. Looking at how Fernando Alonso forced Lewis off the track at Spa last year I now wonder why he wasn't given a drive through. I saw it as tough racing but that's it. The start at Fuji this weekend was sloppy racing, with cold tyres and cold brakes, but that's all there is to it as far as I'm concerned. However, if i were on Ferrari's payroll I might see it differently.

In the end last year the FIA and Ron Dennis were racing Fernando and they managed to prevent him from taking a third consecutive championship. There was an element of poetic justice when Fernando managed to nail Lewis in Interlagos and then too much simulator practice took its toll and not even the Designated One was able to win it.

This year the FIA are intent on preventing Lewis from taking the title. What has he done to them other than failing last year? OK, he talks a lot but that's just part of the overall package.

About Felipe Massa, I like him as a driver even if he is prone to spin around in the rain. I admire the way he stands his ground, as in Barcelona 2007 when he shoved Fernando off the track or today when he left Lewis gazing towards the Philippine Islands ("mirando a Cuenca" in Spanish). But all the assistance he's getting from the stewards is unfair and goes against the sport--and maybe against the business in the long run.

Here goes one for a quiz: How many letters must you shift to make KR WDC become RK WDC?

[teamwork-toronto-ON]

He said: Lewis
She said: massa

need more water to make it MORE clear about the maFIA? . .

it's getting really, but REALLY funny!!! . . :D

[Gary M]

EX-STEWARD

You never told us what kind of Steward you used to be. Maybe a Bar Steward, or an Air Steward perhaps?

Anyway, according to James Allen all the team managers were told by Charlie Whiting in the briefing before Fuji that cars leaving the pits had right of way into the corner.

Kind of destroys your argument don't it?

[LAK]

As most of you are I'm completely dumbfounded by all these penalties, the most deserving one is Massa's (regardless of who he is, and who he crashed into) because it makes sense.

Hamilton's penalty from what I understand isn't normally penalized, and not only that, but every time I see the repeat, if there's anyone to blame, it's Kovalainen! He's the one who actually pushes Kimi out, yes Hamilton may have touched Kimi before ever so lightly, but then continued in his path, Kovalainen was the one who tried to follow Hamilton and pushed Lewis out. Lewis was already far ahead when Kimi got sidelined.
Second of all, the point that LH raised himself that the severity of Massa and his penalties differ, thus cannot be treated the same!

Now onto the penalty that just puts me in a sulky mood, Massa's & Bourdais'... Even though Massa's car tires were half a meter ahead, he closed in on Bourdais who was sticking to his line. It was very naive of him to think he can just close in on Bourdais thinking that he would suddenly break and let him pass! Specially since Bourdais showed no signs of breaking, he made his stance clear and stuck to his line. At the end, he who did nothing gets blamed?! And to think Massa was the one to blame, pfft I forgot who we're dealing with.. Sad.. Very very sad..

How can they allow such an exhilarating sport to be reduced to a puppet show that's controlled by the ppl that control the stewards...
How can the drivers drive with confidence if their actions are at risk of giving them a penalty?
How can we believe what we see with our own eyes if it's going to be reinterpreted later in a different way without a legitimate explanation?!
How can we trust the result of the WDC if the results are being manipulated with?
If this continues, F1 will lose it's respect. It's funny how they're worrying that the finances will threaten F1's survival, they seem to be ignoring a much bigger threat, reliability.

My accusations may be too harsh, but this is how they are making F1 fans feel.. Thank you Ed for the glimpse of hope that the stewards are finally going to provide explanations for their decisions. Even if they do, I'm not sure that there's anything one can do to appeal them, so I guess it won't make much of a difference after all..

[Kohque]

Well said EX-STEWARD!

How much conspiracy non-sense!

Massa's move was very clumsy nonetheless. Just like Hamilton's move in the incident with Massa.

[dopey]

This is ludicrous. Set the rules and apply them.

Every other driver who exited the pit lane when there was a faster car coming down the start finish straight was allowed to hold the inside line.

No question.

So why the penalty on this occasion?

This much beloved 'sport' of mine is fast becoming a Ferrari Christmas Panto.

After 30 years of support - forget it...

[Name]

The first corner incident is understandable, Lewis did exactly the same move on Kimi as Massa did on him, the only difference is the result, Kimi got out of way somehow. But imagine if it was someone like DC, then not only would Lewis's and his race have been over, but there would have been a massive pile-up in the first corner.

Massa's penalty like Lewis's penalty was fair, of course.

The Bourdais incident is debatable, but nonetheless, people are putting way to much effort into debating penalties these days. As long as there are stewards, referees or empires there will be wrong decisions and there will be people who will be unhappy it is a part of every sport. Today a driver might receive a penalty but tomorrow he might get away without a penalty, it is just the way it works.

[Bhavesh]

Dear Ex-Steward,

Your defense is weak in the extreme, you can;t see that the decisions of the "professional" stewards is at best inconsistent and varies from race to race. This is motor racing, Bourdais did nothing wrong he was ahead at the end of the white line, held his ground on the inside, with two wheels up on the curb. Massa had the room to avoid a collsion instead he drove into him.
Massa's fault all the way. There has never been such blatent favouritism, interference in formula 1 as there is now.

However the biggest idiot stewards decision of all time for me was the farce at Monza 06 when Alonso was penalised for holding up Massa!

Time to get some people who know what they are talking about to judge the rules, Charlie Whiting and some ex drivers who make the calls on the spot. Not some FIA lackeys who are polluting and destroying the sport for there own gains.

I love F1 but I am so disgusted at the stewards, personally the faster spanker Mosley is is removed from the scene the better we'll all be.

[LAK]

EX-STEWARD, you didn't mention anything about the Massa & Webber incident, can you kindly shed some insight on that as well?

I still cannot get over the Ferrari engineer cheering when Massa hit Hamilton! Very unprofessional, rude, and disrespectful.

To those of you who missed it, watch 1:40 mins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbB1NbZqwn4

Massa didn't overtake Lewis for him to cheer like that, he crashed into him and pretty much ended his race!

Massa's interview on autosport is very weird, of course he's going to defend himself, but he did so with no acknowledgment that he was at fault:

"Q. Were the drive through penalties for you and Lewis fair?

FM: For him yes, for me I am not sure. For me it was just a racing incident, because we braked very late into Turn 10."

Even Lewis admitted he made a mistake in turn 1. However at the end it was nice of him to insist that he won't allow any racing incidents to destroy his good relationship with Lewis.

Here's the full interview with Massa.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71365

[IDR]

I cannot understand all this excitement.

At the end, Felipe Massa had to outscore Lewis 2,33 points per race, before Fuji. Now he will have to outscore Lewis 2,5 per race.

Lewis has, at this moment, only one rival, Felipe. And IMO is the best he could have. (I don't see Kubica taking >12 points advantage in two races)

So, the only thing Lewis has to do is just finish behind Felipe in those remaining races.

He only need to keep his head cool enough, leting Kimi, Kubica or whoever doing whatever they try, and just concentrate on what really matters for him in this moment...

And this is his main rival. He has to decide what he wants, to win WDC or demonstrate the world he has bigger balls than any other driver. Maybe he have it, but he don't have to use it for thinking.

Lewis against Lewis this is all about.

[Staid Davenport]

Concerning the Bourdais/Massa incident...it seems Bourdais' biggest mistake was impeding a Ferrari. This sort of incident has occured countless times before, but this time it gave the stewards the perfect oppertunity to manipulate the outcome of the world championship and favour Ferrari.

I was actually quite surprised when Kubica did not get a penalty when Raikkonen was forced wide. Surely he should have been penalised under article 7.54A of the internalional sporting code "No competetor should interfere with the progress of a Ferrari"?

[Colin]

Another GP and heaps of issues raised - as usual! It's just rather sad that so many decisions as regards the outcome of races in which these contentious issues arise are made off the track. But with so many juvenile manoeuvers being undertaken by the drivers, maybe the stewards are left with no choice but to impose penalties that that historically would have gone unpunished. Whatever the merits or otherwise of the current system, Hamilton and Massa both seem to make far too many errors (and I include the attempt by LH to outbrake Raikkonen into Turn 1 - it was rash, unnecessary and always likely to fail) for drivers of their undoubted talent.

The spectacle/excitement of GP racing has improved recently with so many of the teams now competitive but for a real, edge of the seat adrenalin rush, try watching Rossi, Stoner & Co in MotoGP!

[David Hodge]

I have just had a rare lateral thought pass through my mind! More evidence of the FIA stewards fiddling the result of the race. And it doesn't even involve debating the rights or wrongs of the penalties.

The original investigtion into the start incident and the Massa/Hamilton incident were called and the stewards gave their conclusion within 15 laps of announcing the investigation. The drive-throughs for both.

The Massa/Bourdais "incident" is called into investigation on lap 51 which gave them 17 laps to the end of the race, or about 20 minutes. So why did they not arrive at a conclusion for this incident before the end of the race? They had plenty of time - indeed, they effectively examined and ruled on two incidents earlier, in less time, which were arguably more complex. It must have taken time especially to study the first-corner views.

Answer? Precedent has already been set in McLaren's failed appeal that retrospective penalties cannot be appealed. Even if Toro Rosso were minded to appeal, then they should not bother.

This plain stinks. Frankly, I can't see the point of getting up early to watch the China race.

[Lisa]

Thank you, Ex-Steward. I don't necessarily agree with the rule, but I would like it very much if someone were to ask a driver if this was discussed in the driver briefings. If the drivers were aware of this issue, then surely SB's penalty is within the rules? The fact that those rules may be crazy and hindering good racing is a different argument, isn't it?

[Miguel_Albacete]

Good morning from Spain!

Every day I check this blog, because I found it one of the most

interesting about F1 theme.

I would like add my small contribution with this video that

shows the reason why Lewis from corner 1 exits in 3rd position and at

the end of the lap he is in 7th position.

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xq5Q07SOxs

Greetins and thanks Ed for this blog.

[David Jones]

Ex-Steward
If what you say is correct (where the hell was he supposed to go, this IS F1 and it is supposed to be motor racing) then Massa should have received a penalty for overtaking Webber with his car over the line?
The truth is that Max Mosley is steering the stewards through his stewards man in giving these decisions that always put Ferrari in an advantage.
Yesterday was the first time ever that the FIA stewards gave a penalty to the leading driver at the first corner for nothing more than missing his breaking point or misjudging the grip in his tyres.

In both of these cases I believe that had the stewards had had no outside influence (we all now know the influence of Mosely's man with the FIA)then both of these two incidents would have received no penalty and in Lewis Hamilton's case it would not even have been investigated.
A blind man can see that all is not right this year and I think even an ex steward could see this if they opened their eyes and no amount of pontificating can alter this.
As has been said by others 2008 is an extra bad year for the FIA and F1 and just to top it off it looks like Todt is being shooed in to replace Mosley.

[Simon Brock]

To Ex-Steward:-

I disagree completely with your analysis of the Massa / Bourdais incident, and if you watch the footage you'll clearly see that Bourdais' car (though slower than Massa's) is ahead into the corner. Massa was going so much faster it was clearly incumbent on him to leave room. He could have easily driven a slightly wider line and avoided Bourdais entirely. To say that it's Bourdais' fault is total nonsense. The replay also shows that with the two cars level, Bourdais has his inside wheels over the off-track line as he is already having to move off-track to avoid Massa who is aggressively trying to drive over him. This is nothing short of aggressive bad driving by Massa who is the one who should have been penalised.

You correctly mention that the pit lane exit area is not allowed to be "invaded", and therefore you'll agree that Massa should have been penalised for dangerously overtaking Webber by using the pit lane exit area. It's a miracle there wasn't a bad accident, however this was completely ignored by the esteemed stewards. We all know why - incompetent stewards plus a Red car at fault.

[Big Phil]

Whinge, whinge, whinge.

Hamilton made his own bed and he should sleep in it. Fantastic driver, but with no head, or maybe head is in Hollywood, aspiring to be an actor.

Lucky for him other competitor is also has no head, but also very fast.

[bigkev]

I dont think it was fair to boudais he was racing for position he was in his racing line and massa came in to quick with traffic in front of him, as for his overtake of webber that needs examining he was completely off of the track. I do like hamilton its about time we had an aggressive driver who will try to make moves.
Remember the FIA wanted to make more spectators interested, I think Hamilton and massa have done that.

[flavio]

It would be nice to know what Frank Williams meant when he said Ferrari cannot win the title this year ...
I believe he meant the absence of a British manager will impact on the organization of the team!
Outcome of the ydy's race:
Hamilton = a dangerous baby acting impulsively, especially now that the media keeps him under pressure.
Kimi = an average taxi driver, God knows how he clinched the title last year.
Massa, an 1/2 j...k, uncapable to benefit from thers errors (LH).
Alonso the only true Shumi's hier, he can bring even a Renault on top of the podium.
Ferrari, the best car accross the whole year in the hands of 2 average drivers. With normal drivers Ferrari wud have been now 30 points ahead of McLaren.
Let's see how much fuss Ferrari can organize for the next week-end.
Ross come back soon! we need you.
F.

[Bill]

Bring back all-in wrestling, the results are less predictable.Ask MAX'sFIAt for the 2009 championship placings now, cancel the racing and save the planet.

[Tim]

Miguel_Albacete - thanks for posting the footage of the first lap, I'd been looking for something similar with no luck.

It gives an interesting view on the events of the first corner. From onboard with Massa, Lewis and Kimi do appear to get much closer, althought it's still not clear whether or not they actually touched.

It was also interetsing to see how Lewis lost places at turn 2, by going off track after thinking about a move on Alonso. Perhaps the flatspotted tyres were an issue here.

Thanks again.

[Gareth]

An addition to the above comments about the LH penalty and the stupid Bourdais penalty (anyone know if TR are appealing?), is nothing being done about Massa overtaking Webber with all four wheels off the track? Surely someone noticed this?

[A Parker]

Josu, you can’t have been reading this blog for one if you think Ed is biased towards Lewis – he thought the Spa penalty was justified for God’s sake!

Richard, that cheering was disgusting, utterly disgusting. What a team are Ferrari!

Snoopy, so glad you are wallowing in Lewis’ “loneliness” on the track. Don’t you think ganging up and bullying are bad things or not when it comes to Lewis? Pretty nasty attitude I’d say. Anyway, I don’t think the entire grid hate Lewis, just Alonso and his foul gang. I’m sure Lewis has been used to this sort of rubbish growing up.

[craig winter]

this really is destroying the sport!
Does anyone else actually watch a race to see just that?a race?!the stewards that make these decisions cannot live in the real world.Hamilton's mistake at the 1st corner was just that.it was obvious that he'd ruined his tyres and so you could say he gave himself a penalty-by needing to change his front right early but no as soon as massa ruined it they had to penalize Hamilton as well.
The only question is wot is behind it all?interesting theories about mosley but for my money I reckon it's not really all against lewis more that it's all anti-mclaren.they really dug themselves a big hole with the spygate thing and now it's come back to haunt them
Of course none of this matters as it just makes things interesting for us fans but if this sets a new president that you cannot try a risky move on the 1st corner where does that leave us?
Stewards inquiries are ruining the sport and this season is the best proof of that.

[Jordi]

@ Gary M:

1- I never said that the events in wembley were racist, that's in your head. I wonder why?

2- The one that thinks that booing is racism (as long as it happens in Spain) is A Parker.

3- English team didn't play well in the first half, but the players booed were Cole and Haskey, interesting isn't it?

Take care and try not to put words in my mouth that I haven't said.

Much apreciated.

[Rich]

It's good to see cameras and replays got rid of all the bad decisions and ambiguities in F1 (take note football). Then again F1's been getting duller and duller for several years now so it needed something to liven it up. However the continual addition of more and more rules have ensured it is not the No.1 Formula anymore so perhaps a change of name is in order to avoid any issues with trade descriptions enquiries.

Give them pedal powered go-carts and be done with it!!

[Tshepo (South Africa)]

I think SNOOPY, don't know from where, is a bit stupid he asks :
LAst question is that IF Lewis is so good driver why in earth he could not come with some points when even Massa could? and massa had drive threw penalty as well????

Answer: Massa pushed him into a spin and lewis had to wait for ALL the cars to pass! What have u been smoking SNOOPY?

[Mike H]

I don't understand the antipathy which Lewis seems to attract. Clearly fast in anything he drives, young, good looking, good with the press, and full of courage and exuberance. I loved those racey moves yesterday, even though they were stupid. At least he had the courage to come back to the circuit and admit that. I'd understand it more if he was thought of as cold and calculating, but there seems to be something else going on here.

[Kevin Abott]

For the last couple of seasons I have tried to step back and consider all incidents with sensible indifference and try to understand the decisions that the FIA are making.

It has been challenging at times but having got up at 4.30am and watched the Japanese grand prix and learning of the outcome of the Massa/Bourdais incident, I'm now of the opinion that some sort of external investigation into the FIA's decision making needs to be made.

Aside from all the other incidents in the race where all the penalties more or less seem fair, I cannot understand how Bourdais could be penalised for keeping his line into the corner where Massa drove into the side of him.

And to decide to make the decision after the race when there was ample opportunity to make a decision before the end of the race, particularly considering how straight forward the incident appeared to be, smacks at waiting to see how the final results panned out so as to make a decision on how best to get Massa some more points.

I honestly believe now after this season (and last), that something is going on with the FIA and Ferrari. I appreciate the gravity of such a statement and would not normally advocate external interference into a sport particularly when it has it's own governing body but with F1 I now believe that it's own governing body (FIA) is bringing motorsport into disrepute.

I feel a external investigation would help to stem any further damage before everyone stops watching F1.

[Jeff Bellamy]

The Japanese GP confirmed what most sane people already suspected, that it's illegal to race a Ferrari. Bourdais was racing Massa for position, he wasn't a lapped backmarker, and was entitled to be where he was. If Massa had shown a degree of common sense, and thought about what he was doing instead of acting as though Bourdais wasn't there, he would probably have been ahead anyway by the time they both came out of the corner. For three faceless officials to penalise Bourdais for doing something he's paid to do is completely wrong. Most onlookers, with the exception of the Ferrari team, believed Massa was in the wrong and were surprised when it was Bourdais who was penalised. This sort of retrospective "justice" is ruining the sport and creating a nanny state atmosphere where no one will be prepared to take a risk in case they are penalised, particularly if a Ferrari is involved.
What is particularly intruiging is that Massa's pass on Webber, when he used the pit exit, wasn't considered to be dangerous. If penalties are to be dished out for what are nothing more than racing incidents, what should Massa have received for what was blatantly dangerous and liable to have caused a major accident if another car had been leaving the pits?
If Mosley and his cronies want to ruin the spectacle they're going about it the right way. At this rate it'll be a procession from start to finish with the only overtaking coming from slick pit stops.
I think it's time for a sanity check Max!

[mike clarke]

Penalising Bourdais must be the worst decision in F1 history !
Its unusual to be penalised in the mayhem of turn 1; Hamilton was unlucky to be penalised.
Massa was obviously guilty at the chicane.

[Alex]

I too am dumbfounded by the Massa/Bourdais incident. Surely it is time for Spanker Max to hire some professional stewards and give up hiring professional ladies.

[al_scotland]

Has Don King taken over F1?

So its decided, 2008-2009 is to be Massa's year. Last year was given to Kimi for his efforts as a thank you and now Massa is next in line. For me I think next year (2009-10) the FIA will decide to make Alonso champion again, to let Ferrari have a rest and rebuild a decent car that can stay in one piece. When will F1 decide to allow Hamilton to be champion? Maybe when he has moved to another team like Ferrari. Such a shame to see this fine sport and also the great Ferrari name being made to look so silly. Such great history being reduced to nothing more than a propped up corporate machine who are handed titles "gratis". Well done to Alonso for another good race, but his comments on helping Ferrari to beat Hamilton??!? what kind of sportsman is this? more like playground revenge.

[FJ]

I watched the race yesterday and have seen the replays. My first reaction to the Massa/Bourdais is that Massa was totally in the wrong and left Bourdais (who had the racing line) with nowhere to go. Watching the replays has not changed this. All the race demonstrated to me is that there does seem to be something to the notion that Ferrarri are held to a different set of rules to the rest of the grid. That said it was good to see Alonso showing how good he is.

[Chris K]

The Bourdais incident is laughable. But the Webber incident leaves me feeling suitably aghast.
Massa overtakes unnecessarily on the inside and goes over the red hatched area near the pit lane.
If a driver had have been exiting the pits at precisely that time, someone could have been killed.

Now Hamilton has had the audacity to come out and say that he thought Massa deliberately drove into him. Silly boy!
I can see the FIA handing out a 25 point deduction for slandering one of their own drivers.

[CHIUNDA]

This is now about FIA playing dirty tricks against McLaren and McLaren struggling to outsmart the oversight body. Going by comments on this blog, it appears this game between FIA and McLaren has more fans than cars authentically racing on the track. All i can say is that i used to watch wresting - until i discovered it was a sham.

[Don Magill]

Nobody seems to mention what happened when KR exited the pits as Webber was passing and KR forced him wide ,nearly on to the grass on the outside - where was the penalty on KR for that move ?

[A Parker]

Mike H: "there seems to be something else going on here". Well spotted mate!

Al_Scotland, Alonso is an utter disgrace, quite an unpleasant individual (that is an understatement). We all saw it last year, and his true colours are shining through again. But he gets away with saying things like that - just imagine if Lewis said it. Well he never would, EVER. And he never made the Senna comments - he has refuted it on his website and it was never reported in the reputable press. Lewis is hounded for being a decent, charismatic sportsman, and Alonso gets away with making sinister, unsportsmanlike comments like wanting to help another team to stop Hamilton. He makes my blood boil and he doesn't have the decency to be a champion.

Chris K, very funny!

[Louis B]

I wonder what cars the Stewards drive. Most probably standard low engined production cars. They dont have any idea of what it is to be a F1 driver. Why are they employed as judge and jury about incidents which they have no experience of. In any other sports judges are employed who have had experience in the relevant sport. F1 needs to change this!!

[O Rygh, Norway]

A Parker, with all due respect, it looks like you have a mental health problem. I am new to this blog but I have been doing some research and have been browsing through your posts (quite a lot). Nobody can take seriously somebody who makes the type of comments you make. I am honestly sorry for you (and worried). I hope L. Hamilton wins the WDC this year because if he doesn't (and Alonso wins another race)you are going to have a MI. You are seriously risking a severe physical health problem. Unfortunately, your mental health has no solution.

Anybody analysing your posts will realise that you say far worse things than Alonso. It's very clear that you hate the guy. Like he cares. He probably reads this and thinks: i have more money than you lalalalalla.

Are you in love with Lewis Hamilton?
Lets face it. As a neutral guy, I believe that Alonso was mistreated last year by McLaren. And like me the vast majority of people outside the UK and also the vast majority of current F1 drivers (yes, those who know about it - not then retired ones who have links with McLaren)

Grow up mate, grow up and stop being pathetic!

That Alonso is better driver than Hamilton is recognised by what you call the reputable press and the people who understands. And there is no need to look far away. It's obvious that he has helped developping the car (R28). Of course, he has taken all the Ferrari and McLaren data with him, hasn't he?

Just browse the international press, if you are able to understand other languages (not common with british people) to underdstand that Alonso is considered a most complete driver than Hamilton. In equal conditions, there would be no colour. Now you may think that last year both Lewis and him enjoyed same conditions, that would reinforce my opinion that there is no blinder than the one who does not want to see...

Got it?

[steve carter]

I'm English - well done Fernando Alonso. Two great victories back to back - stunning.

Not sure what Lewis was up to on the first bend but I have seen that done dozens of times across all motorsports around the world - not sure I understand the penalty but...ok.

Chicane incident - Lewis was pushing hard and made a hard move - but Felippe really lost his head - shame he can't admit it.

Bourdais - wot? Ridiculous decision.

There are a lot of comments stating that last year favoured Lewis. It is true Alonso was penalised very questionably and it is not true that no one in the UK mentioned that. The media presented a spin don't forget and were totally in love with Hamilton. Those decisions did wreck Alonso's third World Championship. But he was also playing with fire and those that do can get burnt.
Finally, both Massa and Hamilton need to find some level thinking in their head space as they both demonstrated this weekend they were not level headed. No better illustrated than when Massa over took in the pit lane exit - I have only seen that level of craziness once before and it was penalised.