Ferrari label Singapore GP humiliating

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Oct 23:45:00 2008

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has poured scorn on the Singapore Grand Prix, saying the "circus" track and the use of the safety car was humiliating for Formula One.

FORMULA 1 2008 Singapore GP Ferrari Räikkönen, Massa - 0

Formula One's first night race drew rave reviews from participants and onlookers, including the sport's delighted supremo Bernie Ecclestone, but was one to forget for the Italian team.

Brazilian title contender Felipe Massa had his race ruined by a bungled pit stop while faltering world champion Kimi Raikkonen crashed near the end.

"When we race on tracks which should be used for the circus, anything can happen including the spectacle of the Safety Car," Montezemolo was quoted as saying in Gazzetta dello Sport.

"All this is humiliating for F1 and it is an aspect I want to talk about with the other teams in the next few weeks."

Singapore saw two safety car interventions, the first of which turned the race upside down and contributed to Spaniard Fernando Alonso's unexpected victory for Renault.

Montezemolo, appointed this month as the first chairman of the Formula One Teams Association, said before the race that street circuits and the lack of overtaking opportunities were not the right way forward for the sport.

Ferrari's failure to score any points in Singapore meant McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, third behind winner Fernando Alonso, extended his championship lead over Massa to seven points with three races left.

Finn Raikkonen is out of contention but Montezemolo still sounded confident.

"We have the best Ferrari, Massa is the best. I expect ... Raikkonen to show he is world champion in the remaining races, to help Massa, to race for the good of the team and to finish in front of the McLarens," he said.

The team president also backed the mechanics who gave Massa the green light during a pit stop despite the fuel hose still being attached to the car as he sped away.

"We have extraordinary mechanics who in other occasions have swung results our way. We must stay close to each other because Ferrari are always world champions and are still in the running to win," Montezemolo added.

Reuters

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  1. talk about timing.nearly spilled my beer

    From MGA, on Wed 1 Oct 9:11PM

  2. arshad.you asked for that one

    From MGA, on Wed 1 Oct 9:09PM

  3. quit your jibber jabber tifosi4eva as maclaren will win as they only need to split the ferraris providing kimi can make it to end of race

    From i.yeatman@..., on Wed 1 Oct 9:06PM

  4. Nooooooo! Return of the a$$hole!

    From arshad_iceman2, on Wed 1 Oct 9:04PM

  5. I daren't hope but it seems the Peruvians have finally gotten rid of jbolan. Gotta find my wallet...

    From arshad_iceman2, on Wed 1 Oct 8:54PM

  6. I agree the FIA have made inconsistent decisions this year but I think the decisions are taken against McLaren and not in favour of Ferrari. As McLaren are a top team, it is only natural that their closest competitor benefits from their misfortunes. Ferrari are McLaren's main contender so some rulings against them have benefitted Ferrari

    I was reviewing Singapore GP weekend and found out that Heidfeld had been docked three spots on the grid bcoz he blocked Barrichello in quali. But Lewis and Heikki were both dropped five places on the grid for the same offence in Malaysia. To me this seems that the FIA have some bias AGAINST McLaren not IN FAVOUR of Ferrari

    From arshad_iceman2, on Wed 1 Oct 8:40PM

  7. Massa forced Glock to crash? I thought Glock finished fourth in Singapore

    From arshad_iceman2, on Wed 1 Oct 8:36PM

  8. I don't want to seem like a whiner but I think the woes of both Ferrari drivers in the rain is down to the car. Massa and Kimi haven't been outstanding in the wet in the past but they have always been solid. Massa and Kimi were both good in terrible conditions last year at the Nurburgring last year and Kimi charged through the field in the race at Fuji after being forced to pit under the safety car. The F2008 seems too nervous, you can't just monster it around the track like the McLaren. The car is the only logical explanation in my eyes about Massa and Kimi underperforming in the wet coz you don't become @#$% in the wet overnight.

    From arshad_iceman2, on Wed 1 Oct 8:35PM

  9. yeah glock was the victim of massa throwin his teddy out of his pram

    From JEREMY, on Wed 1 Oct 8:18PM

  10. what a tool! cry baby....take it like a man and do what mclaren do and move on and look forward.stop making fools of youyrselves ferrari,its cringeworthy

    From JEREMY, on Wed 1 Oct 8:17PM

  11. Oh dear are you upset becuase you lost , cry babys ! , it was all your own fault, the race and venue was great.

    From MARK S, on Wed 1 Oct 7:04PM

  12. I love How Luca disses the track just because they didn't win. I bet if Massa had won. they would be saying. "this is the way forward in motor racing

    From Leo G, on Wed 1 Oct 6:43PM

  13. Ferrari drink Champagne when they win, and Whine when they lose.

    From pHilo, on Wed 1 Oct 6:40PM

  14. Is it just me or what that no one seems to take any notice about timo glock's crash causing by massa? there is something wrong with this kid~ from TV, it showed that he was well aware of glock coming in, but yet he decide to go straight back onto the track denying glock any room and resulting in him crashing. massa should have been penalize~ i bet if it was hamilton, the FIA would have been investigating it imdeately and then disqualifying him.

    From Vitor, on Wed 1 Oct 6:16PM

  15. Hey Golf....I thought Italians always wore White.........Dont the italians have white flags...............;-)

    From doubletalkinjive76, on Wed 1 Oct 3:00PM

  16. Its so nice to hear that ferrari are going to break the rules with team orders

    "........I expect ... Raikkonen to show he is world champion in the remaining races, to help Massa,..."

    Hmmmmm

    What do you make of that FIA?

    From doubletalkinjive76, on Wed 1 Oct 2:58PM

  17. Hey! FORZA

    I'm being to get parinoid cos I actually agree with a lot of what your saying ...SHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIT!! i'm agreeing with a Tifosi maybe you are just a "plant" sent to lull us into a false sense of security.Be careful mate your Tifosi brothers (and Sisters) may hunt you down & cut your nuts off to make an example of any Ferarri supporter who talk sense. Watch your back mate!!!
    As for racing on some of the circuits you mentioned again agreed (bugger!! this is getting serious) but you miss the fact ,that tracks are not awarded races becuase they are quick/good/entertaining, just how much of the green stuff the organisers can bestow on Bernie "Frodo"Ecclestone & his ilke.. so don't hold your bloody breath about seeing those circuits on the calender anytime soon..

    From Radcliffe, on Wed 1 Oct 2:47PM

  18. I'm a knockout lover `.= count to 10 & it's all over

    From yekaterinabelle, on Wed 1 Oct 2:37PM

  19. Wot do you call a girl who does a man's work ..? == A lazy cow ..!

    From yekaterinabelle, on Wed 1 Oct 2:32PM

  20. Do you speak to your wife when making love ??
    Not unless she calls my mobile .!

    From yekaterinabelle, on Wed 1 Oct 2:31PM
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