Belgium GP

[badgerx16]

Surely it's cheating even if he gained no advantage?

Given the choice of cutting the corner or steering into the Ferrari, what would you have done ? The decision takes no account of two drivers being totally committed to racing each other, in deteriorating conditions.

[badgerx16]

Cheating would imply that he took a deliberate and calculated decision to use the escape route, which is actually there because chicanes are tricky places and 'racing' incidents like this are bound to happen as drivers take split-second decisions in cars that are on the edge of adhesion to the circuit, whilst braking from extremely high speeds.

[Sheaf Saint]

Kimi's take on the situation. Fair play to the bloke...

 

In a sensational turnaround, a flash from La Gazzetta dello Sport quotes defending World Champion Kimi Raikkonen as being prepared to testify on behalf of arch rival Lewis Hamilton at the FIA hearing that will result from Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' protest of the penalty imposed on Hamilton after the Belgian Grand Prix. "I don't care what the stewards said, as far as I was concerned, Hamilton let me by as we passed the pits", said Raikkonen in Geneva today. "I got ahead, I tried to defend the position and the race was on again. My car was for sure very difficult on the prime tyres in the rain and Lewis got by me into the hairpin. That was that."

 

Raikkonen went on, "For sure, I don't like to lose but I don't like to win through stupid decisions. People say I have lost the love (for F1) but yesterday I showed that second was not what I wanted. There are five races to go and I plan to win them all. I'm not the sort to give up that easily."

 

Asked if he was prepared to testify to that effect if the McLaren protest goes to the FIA, Raikkonen simply said, "Yes, why not."

 

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali declined to comment on Raikkonen's statement but technical director Aldo Costa admitted the Scuderia was not pleased. "Our driver has a view but the team believes the stewards and the FIA have all the information they need. We will be talking to our driver during the week," Costa told Gazzetta dello Sport.

 

In other words, they intend to gag him somehow. Can't see the Ferrari team allowing Kimi to testify somehow, although my faith in the sport will be restored if he does. Just goes to show that there is still a small modicum of sportsmanship left in F1.

[Colinjb]

Kimi's take on the situation. Fair play to the bloke...

 

In a sensational turnaround, a flash from La Gazzetta dello Sport quotes defending World Champion Kimi Raikkonen as being prepared to testify on behalf of arch rival Lewis Hamilton at the FIA hearing that will result from Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' protest of the penalty imposed on Hamilton after the Belgian Grand Prix. "I don't care what the stewards said, as far as I was concerned, Hamilton let me by as we passed the pits", said Raikkonen in Geneva today. "I got ahead, I tried to defend the position and the race was on again. My car was for sure very difficult on the prime tyres in the rain and Lewis got by me into the hairpin. That was that."

 

Raikkonen went on, "For sure, I don't like to lose but I don't like to win through stupid decisions. People say I have lost the love (for F1) but yesterday I showed that second was not what I wanted. There are five races to go and I plan to win them all. I'm not the sort to give up that easily."

 

Asked if he was prepared to testify to that effect if the McLaren protest goes to the FIA, Raikkonen simply said, "Yes, why not."

 

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali declined to comment on Raikkonen's statement but technical director Aldo Costa admitted the Scuderia was not pleased. "Our driver has a view but the team believes the stewards and the FIA have all the information they need. We will be talking to our driver during the week," Costa told Gazzetta dello Sport.

 

Full respect to Kimi Raikonnen.

[Ponty]

Well "we" think it's an unfair penalty and are not surprised McLaren are appealing. The only problem with the appeal is that the FIA are entitled to extend/expand the penalty if the appeal fails. This is to prevent teams calling for the rather expensive appeal process for every small decision.

[Arizona]

Well "we" think it's an unfair penalty and are not surprised McLaren are appealing. The only problem with the appeal is that the FIA are entitled to extend/expand the penalty if the appeal fails. This is to prevent teams calling for the rather expensive appeal process for every small decision.

 

Think there would be a public lynching if that happened TBH. I don't think anyone other than the FIA and Ferrari will claim it's a fair penalty.

[SaintSparky]

This was a cracking race, however Formula 1 has just been made to look like a joke once again thanks to another farce of its own making.

[Guest Hacienda]

Well "we" think it's an unfair penalty and are not surprised McLaren are appealing. The only problem with the appeal is that the FIA are entitled to extend/expand the penalty if the appeal fails. This is to prevent teams calling for the rather expensive appeal process for every small decision.

 

Everyone except Ferrari and the FIA think it's unfair.

[saintkiptanui]

I don't understand why it's in the interests os Formula 1 for ferrari to always win? please explain Ponty, I don't get it.

[WestSaint]

If the positions between Kimi and Lewis had been reversed, can anyone honestly envisage Ferrari being given a 25 sec penalty

[Ponty]

I don't understand why it's in the interests os Formula 1 for ferrari to always win? please explain Ponty, I don't get it.

As much as it pains me to say it, Formula 1 probably needs Ferrari more than Ferrari needs F1. They are the biggest global name in the sport, with the most recognisable branding, and produce some of the most desirable cars on the planet.

 

They have the biggest following in the sport and their popularity draws in millions of paying viewers and spectators worldwide. They DO get their wrists slapped from time to time, that can't be denied, but it's fair to say that their interpretation of the rulebook often differs to that of everyone else and with no perceptible consequences.

[Saint Paul C]

Kimi's take on the situation. Fair play to the bloke...

 

In a sensational turnaround, a flash from La Gazzetta dello Sport quotes defending World Champion Kimi Raikkonen as being prepared to testify on behalf of arch rival Lewis Hamilton at the FIA hearing that will result from Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' protest of the penalty imposed on Hamilton after the Belgian Grand Prix. "I don't care what the stewards said, as far as I was concerned, Hamilton let me by as we passed the pits", said Raikkonen in Geneva today. "I got ahead, I tried to defend the position and the race was on again. My car was for sure very difficult on the prime tyres in the rain and Lewis got by me into the hairpin. That was that."

 

Raikkonen went on, "For sure, I don't like to lose but I don't like to win through stupid decisions. People say I have lost the love (for F1) but yesterday I showed that second was not what I wanted. There are five races to go and I plan to win them all. I'm not the sort to give up that easily."

 

Asked if he was prepared to testify to that effect if the McLaren protest goes to the FIA, Raikkonen simply said, "Yes, why not."

 

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali declined to comment on Raikkonen's statement but technical director Aldo Costa admitted the Scuderia was not pleased. "Our driver has a view but the team believes the stewards and the FIA have all the information they need. We will be talking to our driver during the week," Costa told Gazzetta dello Sport.

 

Someone won't be driving a red car next season me thinks....

[Michelle]

Phew... what a weekend!

 

Got back yesterday evening, expected there to be a bit of discussion about the result, and I've not been proved wrong! Gonna sit and have a read of all this properly a bit later on, and give my take on things when I've actually had the chance to stop and think properly!

 

'Twas an awesome weekend though, I had a fantastic view of exactly what happened, as it all took place right in front of me! Suffice to say I was livid when I heard about the stewards decision... more on that later though.

[Baj]

Someone won't be driving a red car next season me thinks....

 

"Red"bull maybe

[Baj]

As much as it pains me to say it, Formula 1 probably needs Ferrari more than Ferrari needs F1. They are the biggest global name in the sport, with the most recognisable branding, and produce some of the most desirable cars on the planet.

Was my first trip to a GP (albiet only Friday practise) at Spa, and I was utterly amazed at the ferrari following. On the way down the main gate at Spa were some stalls selling merchandise, approx 12 stalls, of which 10 were selling PURELY Ferrari stuff.

[Colinjb]

Well. Many people thought Formula One would fall apart without the likes of Lotus, Brabham, Tyrrell, Alfa Romeo and BRM (Going back a bit). The Nineties proved otherwise.

 

Removing Ferrari would be something I'm willing to try.

[Ponty]

Rumour has it that Kimi quote I posted is pure bull****. Not my personal bull**** you understand, rather some craap posted by Hamilton supporters elsewhere.

[Saint Paul C]

Saw this posted elsewhere thought it was worth quoting

 

Pat symonds is a well known former ferari insider, a man with many years of experience in f1. Together with michael schumaker, jean todt and the impregnable mind of ross brawn, they formed the unbeatable axis that made ferari unbeatable. He is as we all know, the current director of engineering at renault.

 

I listened to his podcast and his sober, reasoned interpretation of what happenned in spa in the renault podcast....

 

http://www.ing-renaultf1.com/en/bin..._tcm3-77100.mp3

 

This is a knowlegeable man....infact i would argue more informed than a kenyan steward et al whose expertise might be very limited as i don't know of that much racing that happens in kenya. I trust his judgement more than a steward but that is just my opinion.

 

His conclusions of what happenned in spa is completely damning of the role of f1 and its application of natural laws of justice. If this issue is made to stand, iam afraid we can as well pull the plug on so called sport. His voice adds to the cries of the many...fans and specialists alike like ralf schumaker, stewart, lauda and martin brundle who have seen the whole farce and shame of the scandal in in belgium. An amazing race, a race which would have made regends in kimi and hamilton turned into a facade.

[Ponty]

I wouldn't read too much into the text around the podcast. Pat Symonds was never at Ferrari.

 

Although the podcast itself is very well reasoned and does reflect the feeling around the paddock.

[St Landrew]

...His [Pat Symonds] conclusions of what happenned in Spa are completely damning of the role of F1 and its application of natural laws of justice...

 

Hmm, not as I heard it. Of course, most of the podcast was about Alonso, Piquet and Renault, but what he did say was that he believed that the FIA had to be neutral, otherwise there would be no point in the sport. Renault continue to race as if this is so. He did watch the race footage afterwards, and he, and his colleague, both thought any so-called advantage had been well and truly negated by Hamilton giving way to Raikonnen, and the fact that Kimi overtook Lewis in front of the spun Williams. He paid special attention to the corner where Hamilton did pass Raikonnen saying Kimi had braked early, because of the wet, and Hamilton easily passed him. He didn't mention any waved yellow flags regarding Kimi's re-pass, which was a shame, as I'd have liked to have heard his views on that. He did think Lewis completely outdrove Kimi once the rain began to fall, and that Lewis was very harshly treated by being denied the win. However, people should not overlook Raikonnen.

 

My words, but that's all he said.