The 2008 Belgian Grand Prix Thread
Moderators: cmlean, Ed, The Qualiflyer, The Heretic
What a race!
Congratulations to Hamilton on winning the race. He gave it away early in the race by spinning but made up for that when the rain arrived and managed to survive - just!
Raikkonen drove a great race up until 2 laps from the finish when the rain got the better of him and spun into the wall!
Massa looked settled for third until Raikkonen's retirement. He didn't look on the pace of Hamilton and Raikkonen. Given the concerns about the engine, he would probably be reasonably satisfied with losing just 2 points to Hamilton.
Heidfeld finished 3rd by pitting for intermediates 2 laps from the end. Great call!
Alonso did the same 1 lap from the end, pitting from 3rd and managed to catch all those ahead who remained on dry tyres (except for Hamilton and Massa) and finished 4th.
Vettel was behind his team-mate here but in the final two laps he managed to pass him and finish 5th. He is one of those drivers who are really quick in the wet.
Kubica managed to finish 6th and that would have been a dissapointing result for him. Nevertheless he now moves to 3rd in the championship!
Bourdais drove his best race of the season so far and has responded to the pressure. The rain in the end didn't help him and lost a couple of places as a result
Glock made the top 8 when it looked like Toyota won't be scoring any points. Well done
Your thoughts and the driver of the day ?
Congratulations to Hamilton on winning the race. He gave it away early in the race by spinning but made up for that when the rain arrived and managed to survive - just!
Raikkonen drove a great race up until 2 laps from the finish when the rain got the better of him and spun into the wall!
Massa looked settled for third until Raikkonen's retirement. He didn't look on the pace of Hamilton and Raikkonen. Given the concerns about the engine, he would probably be reasonably satisfied with losing just 2 points to Hamilton.
Heidfeld finished 3rd by pitting for intermediates 2 laps from the end. Great call!
Alonso did the same 1 lap from the end, pitting from 3rd and managed to catch all those ahead who remained on dry tyres (except for Hamilton and Massa) and finished 4th.
Vettel was behind his team-mate here but in the final two laps he managed to pass him and finish 5th. He is one of those drivers who are really quick in the wet.
Kubica managed to finish 6th and that would have been a dissapointing result for him. Nevertheless he now moves to 3rd in the championship!
Bourdais drove his best race of the season so far and has responded to the pressure. The rain in the end didn't help him and lost a couple of places as a result
Glock made the top 8 when it looked like Toyota won't be scoring any points. Well done
Your thoughts and the driver of the day ?
It is reported that Hamilton and Raikkonen are under investigation.
2 laps from the end, Hamilton attempted to overtake Raikkonen, Raikkonen appeared to push Hamilton wide forcing Hamilton into cutting the chicane. Hamilton got in front but gave the position back however he remained in Raikkonen's slip stream and overtook him at the end of the straight where Raikkonen actually touched Hamilton. Raikkonen also appeared to change position more than once as Hamilton attempted to pass.
It remains to be seen which way the stewards would go.
Update: The race stewards have penalised Lewis Hamilton 25 seconds added to his race time after crossing the chicane while attempting to pass Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton gave back the position but the stewards decided that he didn't properly allow Kimi Raikkonen to pass and benefited from the slipstream.
The stewards also penalised Glock with a 25 second time penalty for overtaking under yellow flags.
These penalties mean that Massa is declared the winner ahead of Heidfeld and Hamilton. Alonso is 4th ahead of Vettel, Kubica, Bourdais and Webber.
McLaren are appealing the decision
2 laps from the end, Hamilton attempted to overtake Raikkonen, Raikkonen appeared to push Hamilton wide forcing Hamilton into cutting the chicane. Hamilton got in front but gave the position back however he remained in Raikkonen's slip stream and overtook him at the end of the straight where Raikkonen actually touched Hamilton. Raikkonen also appeared to change position more than once as Hamilton attempted to pass.
It remains to be seen which way the stewards would go.
Update: The race stewards have penalised Lewis Hamilton 25 seconds added to his race time after crossing the chicane while attempting to pass Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton gave back the position but the stewards decided that he didn't properly allow Kimi Raikkonen to pass and benefited from the slipstream.
The stewards also penalised Glock with a 25 second time penalty for overtaking under yellow flags.
These penalties mean that Massa is declared the winner ahead of Heidfeld and Hamilton. Alonso is 4th ahead of Vettel, Kubica, Bourdais and Webber.
McLaren are appealing the decision
Last edited by Ed on Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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F1greyhound
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Even if I hoped FELIPE would pass LEWIS in the last lap I feel sorry for the WDC leader as this is nothing nice to have a decision like that after the GP, reminds me a bit of MICHAELs disqualification in Spa 94 after he had bruised his undercar by 1mm, at the time he was going to run away with the Championship.....
Saying this, it was my initial thought that LEWIS had not quite let KIMI repass him after the chicane incident. I felt he didnt let him get clearly in front before restarting his challenge.
Anyway I hope this has not decided the Championship. BTW KIMI is the big loser of this GP, not LEWIS.
As expected a super drive from NICK and SEBASTIAN in the wet while FERNANDO certainly got the max out of his package.
Saying this, it was my initial thought that LEWIS had not quite let KIMI repass him after the chicane incident. I felt he didnt let him get clearly in front before restarting his challenge.
Anyway I hope this has not decided the Championship. BTW KIMI is the big loser of this GP, not LEWIS.
As expected a super drive from NICK and SEBASTIAN in the wet while FERNANDO certainly got the max out of his package.
YOURS IN SPORT
Team by team summary following the race (GMM)
FERRARI
Spa-Francorchamps' famous rain turned the last laps of the 2008 Belgian grand prix on its head, after Kimi Raikkonen looked on course to win. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton then launched an attack at the Bus Stop with 2 laps to go, cut the chicane and re-passed the Finn at La Source, ultimately attracting a post-race penalty that stripped him of his win. After the La Source incident, Raikkonen's fine race further turned to mud as he spun once and soon after slid into the wall -- and perhaps understandably he did not make himself available for the deadline of Ferrari's initial press release. "We are very disappointed for Kimi, who had driven a great race and deserved the win, especially at this rather difficult time," said team boss Stefano Domenicali. Very much on the bright side, however, title contender Felipe Massa's second place on the road, achieved by driving admittedly very cautiously, became victory in the stewards' room, turning a potential 8 point deficit to Hamilton to just 2. "This was a very strange race," the Brazilian surmised.
BMW-SAUBER
Nick Heidfeld's weekend has been the perfect rejoinder to the speculation about his future, but it was his inspired strategy decision to change to wet tyres with just 2 laps to go that netted him the podium, which became second place after Hamilton's penalty. "It paid off. It was a hero or zero decision," he enthused. Teammate Robert Kubica, sixth, was actually ahead of Heidfeld until a pitstop refuelling delay.
MCLAREN-MERCEDES
Like Raikkonen and Massa, Hamilton's was a tumultuous race; an early half-spin at La Source that allowed Raikkonen to snatch the lead after Eau Rouge, and then the incredible events of the closing laps, where the Briton took the win but was subsequently demoted to third. "The team has registered its intention to appeal this decision," said a statement issued by engine partner Mercedes-Benz. Heikki Kovalainen, who had a bad start and served a drive-through penalty for his collision with Red Bull's Mark Webber, retired with a gearbox failure on the last lap but was classified 10th. On his clash with Webber, the Finn said: "It was a racing accident."
RENAULT
Like Heidfeld, Fernando Alonso also switched to wet tyres in the closing stages and finished a solid fourth. "We have shown that we can be the third strongest team in the championship," he enthused. Nelson Piquet spun into the barriers at the high speed Fagnes chicane on lap 15.
TORO ROSSO-FERRARI
Sebastien Bourdais, despite hitting Toyota's Jarno Trulli at the start, had a good weekend and capped it off with two points. But with his teammate Sebastian Vettel fifth at the flag, the Frenchman was disappointed on Sunday afternoon when the late race rain chaos cost him places. "It was definitely his best race for Toro Rosso and I am very happy for him," said team boss Franz Tost, who was seen embracing the multiple Champ Car champion in the paddock.
RED BULL-RENAULT
Mark Webber re-claimed his eighth place only in the stewards room, as the FIA officials penalised Toyota's Timo Glock for overtaking while yellow flags warned about the Raikkonen crash. The Australian was also lucky to survive the crash with an optimistic Kovalainen. David Coulthard finished 11th. "We have poor drivability," the veteran said.
TOYOTA
Jarno Trulli was sixth at La Source on lap one, but hit in the back by Bourdais and lucky to drag his damaged car to the chequered flag. "The car was undriveable," said the Italian. Glock finished eighth but FIA stewards took away his point for overtaking Webber under yellow flags.
WILLIAMS-TOYOTA
The British team's rain-dance came too late, meaning that Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima's switch to wet tyres did not deliver any points. "We are confident Monza will suit us better," said Rosberg.
FORCE INDIA-FERRARI
Giancarlo Fisichella was the last to see the chequered flag, after a crash with Nakajima at the first corner required a visit to the pits. Adrian Sutil, who finished the race with dry tyres, split the wet-tyred Williams cars at the end, for 13th place. "I could pass Button and some other guys. I am quite happy with this race," said the German.
HONDA
Rubens Barrichello's bad weekend ended on lap 21, when the team retired his car to save his engine for Monza following a gearbox problem. Button finished 15th.
FERRARI
Spa-Francorchamps' famous rain turned the last laps of the 2008 Belgian grand prix on its head, after Kimi Raikkonen looked on course to win. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton then launched an attack at the Bus Stop with 2 laps to go, cut the chicane and re-passed the Finn at La Source, ultimately attracting a post-race penalty that stripped him of his win. After the La Source incident, Raikkonen's fine race further turned to mud as he spun once and soon after slid into the wall -- and perhaps understandably he did not make himself available for the deadline of Ferrari's initial press release. "We are very disappointed for Kimi, who had driven a great race and deserved the win, especially at this rather difficult time," said team boss Stefano Domenicali. Very much on the bright side, however, title contender Felipe Massa's second place on the road, achieved by driving admittedly very cautiously, became victory in the stewards' room, turning a potential 8 point deficit to Hamilton to just 2. "This was a very strange race," the Brazilian surmised.
BMW-SAUBER
Nick Heidfeld's weekend has been the perfect rejoinder to the speculation about his future, but it was his inspired strategy decision to change to wet tyres with just 2 laps to go that netted him the podium, which became second place after Hamilton's penalty. "It paid off. It was a hero or zero decision," he enthused. Teammate Robert Kubica, sixth, was actually ahead of Heidfeld until a pitstop refuelling delay.
MCLAREN-MERCEDES
Like Raikkonen and Massa, Hamilton's was a tumultuous race; an early half-spin at La Source that allowed Raikkonen to snatch the lead after Eau Rouge, and then the incredible events of the closing laps, where the Briton took the win but was subsequently demoted to third. "The team has registered its intention to appeal this decision," said a statement issued by engine partner Mercedes-Benz. Heikki Kovalainen, who had a bad start and served a drive-through penalty for his collision with Red Bull's Mark Webber, retired with a gearbox failure on the last lap but was classified 10th. On his clash with Webber, the Finn said: "It was a racing accident."
RENAULT
Like Heidfeld, Fernando Alonso also switched to wet tyres in the closing stages and finished a solid fourth. "We have shown that we can be the third strongest team in the championship," he enthused. Nelson Piquet spun into the barriers at the high speed Fagnes chicane on lap 15.
TORO ROSSO-FERRARI
Sebastien Bourdais, despite hitting Toyota's Jarno Trulli at the start, had a good weekend and capped it off with two points. But with his teammate Sebastian Vettel fifth at the flag, the Frenchman was disappointed on Sunday afternoon when the late race rain chaos cost him places. "It was definitely his best race for Toro Rosso and I am very happy for him," said team boss Franz Tost, who was seen embracing the multiple Champ Car champion in the paddock.
RED BULL-RENAULT
Mark Webber re-claimed his eighth place only in the stewards room, as the FIA officials penalised Toyota's Timo Glock for overtaking while yellow flags warned about the Raikkonen crash. The Australian was also lucky to survive the crash with an optimistic Kovalainen. David Coulthard finished 11th. "We have poor drivability," the veteran said.
TOYOTA
Jarno Trulli was sixth at La Source on lap one, but hit in the back by Bourdais and lucky to drag his damaged car to the chequered flag. "The car was undriveable," said the Italian. Glock finished eighth but FIA stewards took away his point for overtaking Webber under yellow flags.
WILLIAMS-TOYOTA
The British team's rain-dance came too late, meaning that Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima's switch to wet tyres did not deliver any points. "We are confident Monza will suit us better," said Rosberg.
FORCE INDIA-FERRARI
Giancarlo Fisichella was the last to see the chequered flag, after a crash with Nakajima at the first corner required a visit to the pits. Adrian Sutil, who finished the race with dry tyres, split the wet-tyred Williams cars at the end, for 13th place. "I could pass Button and some other guys. I am quite happy with this race," said the German.
HONDA
Rubens Barrichello's bad weekend ended on lap 21, when the team retired his car to save his engine for Monza following a gearbox problem. Button finished 15th.
Hi everyone..
One of the most thrilling ending to a race for a longtime,but sadly ending in a farce
I simply didnt understand the rules and the verdict by the stewards... agreed Lewis got an advantage by not taking the chicane but than he backed off n gave Kimi the lead..Or are they saying giving back the lead was in an unfair manner ?
Why cant in these scenario a speed limiter be imposed for a few secs (like is playstation games) and none of these controversy would arise.
Lewis would have won anyway as he was more confident than Kimi during tht time,in tht situation.
Nothing to take away from Kimi the way he drove for 42 laps...didnt seem like he was less motivated to drive the f1 car..after all the criticism he received..Mclaren was a superior car n the difference was kimi in a ferrari.
I would like to vote for everyone who finished the race in those conditions..but will give it to Alonso/Heildfeld
Seems like Mclaren has a superior car n Hamilton being crowned as champion in Brazil..but as hamilton said "until the fat lady sings"
One of the most thrilling ending to a race for a longtime,but sadly ending in a farce
I simply didnt understand the rules and the verdict by the stewards... agreed Lewis got an advantage by not taking the chicane but than he backed off n gave Kimi the lead..Or are they saying giving back the lead was in an unfair manner ?
Why cant in these scenario a speed limiter be imposed for a few secs (like is playstation games) and none of these controversy would arise.
Lewis would have won anyway as he was more confident than Kimi during tht time,in tht situation.
Nothing to take away from Kimi the way he drove for 42 laps...didnt seem like he was less motivated to drive the f1 car..after all the criticism he received..Mclaren was a superior car n the difference was kimi in a ferrari.
I would like to vote for everyone who finished the race in those conditions..but will give it to Alonso/Heildfeld
Seems like Mclaren has a superior car n Hamilton being crowned as champion in Brazil..but as hamilton said "until the fat lady sings"
An F1 Idiot!!!
Another point of view
Hi, folks!
Came back to discuss this thrilling decision.
IMHO the penalty was well applied because:
1) When two cars with identical performance go through the chicane, there is no way that the car following will catch the slip stream of the car in front before the La Source
2) Hamilton's attempt to pass before the chicane was at least "optimistic". Kimi just kept his line. If it was for Hamilton to drive through the chicane correctly he would loose at least 2s to Kimi so cutting the chicane represented a HUGE benefit for him.
3) Although he left Kimi pass, he was much closer to the Ferrari than he would have been if he had not cut the chicane. He used the incident to allow the next move (Kimi was a little naive though, and went nuts when he realized what had happened).
So, the fact is not related to each car speed or if he gave back the position. Had he waited for the next straight line and he would have overtaken Kimi nice and clean.
People talk about a conspiracy against Hamilton, maybe because people have serious memory issues.
Last year championship was lost by Hamilton with two hilarious performances on the last two races.
2008 French GP was another example that he thinks that cutting chicanes is one legit way to overtake.
Finally he lost first position to Kimi by spinning all by himself.
I think Hamilton is probably the best driver of the grid but he is pure instint and emotion. He will be World Champion if he adds a little bit of rationality to these qualities.
Came back to discuss this thrilling decision.
IMHO the penalty was well applied because:
1) When two cars with identical performance go through the chicane, there is no way that the car following will catch the slip stream of the car in front before the La Source
2) Hamilton's attempt to pass before the chicane was at least "optimistic". Kimi just kept his line. If it was for Hamilton to drive through the chicane correctly he would loose at least 2s to Kimi so cutting the chicane represented a HUGE benefit for him.
3) Although he left Kimi pass, he was much closer to the Ferrari than he would have been if he had not cut the chicane. He used the incident to allow the next move (Kimi was a little naive though, and went nuts when he realized what had happened).
So, the fact is not related to each car speed or if he gave back the position. Had he waited for the next straight line and he would have overtaken Kimi nice and clean.
People talk about a conspiracy against Hamilton, maybe because people have serious memory issues.
Last year championship was lost by Hamilton with two hilarious performances on the last two races.
2008 French GP was another example that he thinks that cutting chicanes is one legit way to overtake.
Finally he lost first position to Kimi by spinning all by himself.
I think Hamilton is probably the best driver of the grid but he is pure instint and emotion. He will be World Champion if he adds a little bit of rationality to these qualities.
Right on, Kappel!! The Stewards are nuts!! 
If they want to penalize Lewis, fine. But no one should have the power to strip a winner by some legalistic 
nonsense about what is or isn't open to appeal.The stewards are supposed to control the race.
So, if they think they don't have enough time to serve the drive-thru, let them RED FLAG the thing; announce and serve the penalty. And THEN re-start it. Have to agree with F1 Greyhound, though: the big loser in this race was Kimi!
It was evident that he was skating on VERY slick tyres even before the rains came.Typical Kimi: he races to WIN, not for points, and so when Lewis got him (and I think Lewis well and truly DID get him... and would have gotten him before the end even without the 'tow' he managed to get when he pulled aside briefly), he just lost it. Had to go after him, never mind the laws of physics. Seeing the silver McLaren in front of him is like waving the red cape at the bull!! So Long Kimi's chance for a repeat WDC.
But I predict he'll win at least 2 more races (Monza and Brazil)
Lewis was his usual, Schumacher-like, surgically gifted, technician (esp. in the wet). I wonder if he'll be able to stand being hated by large numbers for his incredibly cool handling -- and his Devil Went Down To Georgia luck?
Even Fernando couldn't resist slamming him yesterday for his 'luck'.
Watching him, I'm glad he's NOT driving (and never will) for Ferrari! As good as it was to enjoy the Schumacher years with the big reds, I'm happy to have the 'other' team hosting the super cool one.And Quick Nick
and both the Sebastians were on top of their game yesterday. All in all (except for Kimi & his team) it was a really great --except for the stewards' meddling
-- race! And THE DRIVE OF THE DAY has to be Fernando Alonso's! It was a brilliant performance!
I mean let's face it: the Renault is no competition for the BMW/Sauber! But through the entire race Fernando made them look like Red Bulls!
Had he gone in with Nick for inters a lap earlier, he'd have passed Felipe before the end!
And had Nico Rosberg been just a hair slower back on the track, he'd have taken BOTH Kimi AND Lewis out --and what a barn-burning finish we'd have had then: two time WDC Fernando wins in a Renault in Belgium. Hell, they would have declared it a national holiday in France, Belgium and Spain!!
I can't WAIT for next Friday!!
Jim Watt
My Racing Gods: Fangio, Vukovich; Senna & Mears --all racers all the time; graceful winners & generous in defeat, but never giving up!!
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JayVee
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I must say that this was a really exciting race and while it must have been disspointing for Hamilton I think a penalty should be applied. He didn't give the position back properly and should have done so. He was penalised for doing this a few races ago so you'd think he would have checked the rules.
I remember in Japan in 2006, Alonso did something similar, gave the position back then quickly repassed again but was told by the stewards that he has to 'properly' give it back. He had to redo the move again and that made a big difference where he finished the race.
Emotionally I think we don't like to see penalties at the end of the race but are mostly fine with them at the start or middle of the race. If I was a Hamilton fan, I think I would be dissapointed but that is part of the racing and we cannot pick and choose.
The fact of the matter Hamilton - possibly due to his inexperience - is making mistakes that are costing him dearly. Just like there is no excuse for running the red light and crashing into one of your main competitors, there is no excuse for gaining an advantage by going off the track. So many drivers in the past have been caught by this.
And Glock was penalised for passing under yellow and he lost a point after the race finished. Is that penalty acceptable and the other not ?
Pity that Raikkonen was the main loser out of this as he drove a good race.
Ferrari were sleeping though, had they had Ross Brawn, he would have asked Massa to pit for wets 2 laps before the end and would have won!
Well may have won as Massa seems to be a bit too cautious in the wet!
Alonso surprised me and managed to stay with Massa for a good portion of the race in a car that perhaps should barely make Q3. He was my driver of the day.
Interesting scenario Jim but I don't think Alonso has ever been that lucky!!
I remember in Japan in 2006, Alonso did something similar, gave the position back then quickly repassed again but was told by the stewards that he has to 'properly' give it back. He had to redo the move again and that made a big difference where he finished the race.
Emotionally I think we don't like to see penalties at the end of the race but are mostly fine with them at the start or middle of the race. If I was a Hamilton fan, I think I would be dissapointed but that is part of the racing and we cannot pick and choose.
The fact of the matter Hamilton - possibly due to his inexperience - is making mistakes that are costing him dearly. Just like there is no excuse for running the red light and crashing into one of your main competitors, there is no excuse for gaining an advantage by going off the track. So many drivers in the past have been caught by this.
And Glock was penalised for passing under yellow and he lost a point after the race finished. Is that penalty acceptable and the other not ?
Pity that Raikkonen was the main loser out of this as he drove a good race.
Ferrari were sleeping though, had they had Ross Brawn, he would have asked Massa to pit for wets 2 laps before the end and would have won!
Well may have won as Massa seems to be a bit too cautious in the wet!
Alonso surprised me and managed to stay with Massa for a good portion of the race in a car that perhaps should barely make Q3. He was my driver of the day.
Interesting scenario Jim but I don't think Alonso has ever been that lucky!!
I'm back and yes supporting Alonso "The Cute" in the Ferrari!
Hullo Jay Vee!You wrote "Interesting scenario Jim but I don't think Alonso has ever been that lucky!!"
Alas, true enough. Alonso, like Kimi, if he didn't have BAD luck, would have NO LUCK AT ALL.
Probably there is some connection between Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton's EXTREME smoothness (which is so off-putting for so many of us-- and their "luck." Maybe because they just have another gene or something which OVER rules the "Shove your foot into it, Lad. It's now or never!" tendency the James Hunts and Ayrton Sennas, Fernando Alonsos and Kimi Raikkonens seem to have. This ruthless indifference to points and anything other than winning leads to fantastic memories (like Kimi literally driving the wheels off his McLaren at Germany some years back) of races that "should have been." But not to records in the books.
If you're the last in the F1 Idiots group, I'm afraid I don't even qualify for admission to the sub-morons. I think I've fallen into the third century for pole n' 8 this year --and it ain't over yet!
cheers!
Jim Watt
My Racing Gods: Fangio, Vukovich; Senna & Mears --all racers all the time; graceful winners & generous in defeat, but never giving up!!
The McLaren team officially confirmed they have lodged notice of appeal on the penalty handed to Lewis Hamilton at the end of the race.
The statement from the team read:
2008 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
Martin Whitmarsh said: "Following our decision to register our intention to appeal the penalty handed out to Lewis Hamilton by the FIA Stewards at the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix, we hereby confirm that we have now lodged notice of appeal. Lewis describes the incident as follows."
Lewis Hamilton said: "In the closing stages of the race I was catching Kimi consistently, lap by lap, and with three laps remaining I got close enough to attempt to overtake him on the entry to the last chicane. I managed to get slightly ahead of him in the braking area for the first apex of the chicane. He fought back approaching the second apex - but, in doing so, he left no room for me on the inside line. The only way for me to avoid a collision was therefore to cut inside the second apex.
"I came out of the second apex in front of Kimi and so I momentarily lifted-off on the straight, to ensure that Kimi got back in front. The team also came on the radio and instructed me to allow Kimi to repass, which I had already done. As a result, Kimi crossed the start/finish line ahead of me and 6.7km/h quicker than me.
"After allowing Kimi to completely repass, I crossed from the left side of the track to the right side of the track, passing behind Kimi in the process. I then attacked Kimi on the inside of the first corner, and successfully outbraked him."
Martin Whitmarsh added: "From the pit wall, we then asked Race Control to confirm that they were comfortable that Lewis had allowed Kimi to repass, and they confirmed twice that they believed that the position had been given back in a manner that was 'okay'.
"If Race Control had instead expressed any concern regarding Lewis’s actions at that time, we would have instructed Lewis to allow Kimi to repass for a second time."
The statement from the team read:
2008 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
Martin Whitmarsh said: "Following our decision to register our intention to appeal the penalty handed out to Lewis Hamilton by the FIA Stewards at the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix, we hereby confirm that we have now lodged notice of appeal. Lewis describes the incident as follows."
Lewis Hamilton said: "In the closing stages of the race I was catching Kimi consistently, lap by lap, and with three laps remaining I got close enough to attempt to overtake him on the entry to the last chicane. I managed to get slightly ahead of him in the braking area for the first apex of the chicane. He fought back approaching the second apex - but, in doing so, he left no room for me on the inside line. The only way for me to avoid a collision was therefore to cut inside the second apex.
"I came out of the second apex in front of Kimi and so I momentarily lifted-off on the straight, to ensure that Kimi got back in front. The team also came on the radio and instructed me to allow Kimi to repass, which I had already done. As a result, Kimi crossed the start/finish line ahead of me and 6.7km/h quicker than me.
"After allowing Kimi to completely repass, I crossed from the left side of the track to the right side of the track, passing behind Kimi in the process. I then attacked Kimi on the inside of the first corner, and successfully outbraked him."
Martin Whitmarsh added: "From the pit wall, we then asked Race Control to confirm that they were comfortable that Lewis had allowed Kimi to repass, and they confirmed twice that they believed that the position had been given back in a manner that was 'okay'.
"If Race Control had instead expressed any concern regarding Lewis’s actions at that time, we would have instructed Lewis to allow Kimi to repass for a second time."
Thanks for the note, Ed. I especially liked the logic suggested here; if, during the race, not only were no sanctions threatened, but twice stewards said that Lewis was "O.K." with regard to Kimi, then I don't understand how the same (or were they DIFFERENT!?) stewards can, AFTER the race, claim that there was no time for a "drive through" penalty.What has to be determined, obviously, is whether or not the persons saying Lewis was O.K. were, in fact, Stewards, or persons representing them, and whether or not their saying Lewis was "O.K." can be verified.
If they were Stewards and they did say he was O.K. then the McLaren protest must be allowed and upheld. To argue that the Stewards were "too busy" or "too distracted by Kimi's accident" is to argue that Stewards are incapable of performing their [supposed] duties and if that's the case, who needs people who can't do their job passing judgment on people who, obviously, CAN?
Jim Watt
My Racing Gods: Fangio, Vukovich; Senna & Mears --all racers all the time; graceful winners & generous in defeat, but never giving up!!
FIA declares McLaren appeal inadmissable.
surprise surprise.............
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 5757.shtml
surprise surprise.............
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 5757.shtml
I'm in shape
Round is a shape...........
Round is a shape...........