Japanese GP: What the drivers said

Eurosport - Mon, 13 Oct 16:56:00 2008

All the reaction from the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji, including Felipe Massa's denial that he deliberately hit title rival Lewis Hamilton.

FORMULA 1 2008 - Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil, right, leads McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain during the Japanese GP - 0

Felipe Massa (Ferrari, 7th): "He [Hamilton] braked very late and I braked very late, and then I was a little bit wide in the first part of the corner. Then he had my inside line and pushed me a little bit wide in the gravel. We then just touched each other, so in my opinion it was a racing incident. But we had a drive-through penalty, and we paid it. It was definitely not [deliberate]: I had two wheels on the gravel. I could not stop the car and I was on the gravel because he pushed me into the gravel. For him yes [the penalty was fair]; for me I am not sure."

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren, 12th): "I made a mistake at the first corner and I paid for it. Then Felipe hit me off. I left room on the apex of turn 11 but he hit me pretty hard. We both got the same penalty - I didn't hit anybody but he did. I guess that's the name of the game. I don't think it makes any difference [to the title race]. I lost one point today [later changed to two after post-race penalty for Sebastien Bourdais] which is, I guess, damage limitation. We'll move on to next week. We'll still be as competitive and we are going to make sure we win the last two races."

Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso, 10th): "For me it's very clear. [When] I exit the pits I am supposed to be careful and I was. I stayed inside and I didn't push him [Massa] out; I didn't overshoot the corner: I did everything I could not to run into him and he just squeezed and turned and behaved like I didn't exist, like I wasn't there. What am I supposed to do? I've been in this position many, many times and I never had any incidents. It's just a little bit of respect, you give each other room and then everything goes right, but if you don't there's going to be an incident. The position he is in, fighting for championships, you just don't take unnecessary risks. Why would you even think about doing something like that? I don't understand."

Fernando Alonso (Renault, 1st): "It's still difficult to believe what we have done today: winning in Singapore was unexpected, but we benefited from special conditions. Today we won again on a circuit that was not supposed to suit us. The team has really done a remarkable job to fight back this season and we are now the third strongest team. It's unbelievable and I am extremely happy this evening. Anything is possible now in the last two races."

Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber, 2nd): "My start was good but the clutch slipped a little, therefore Jarno Trulli was able to pass me on the straight. I then decided to take the inside line and braked too late and locked the front wheels. But then everybody went wide while I was more or less able to keep my line, and after the second corner I was in front. My tyres were graining and I lost time... after the pit-stop, Fernando Alonso was in front of me and I was not able to match his pace. At the beginning of the final stint I came under strong pressure from Kimi Raikkonen and we had a great fight. At one point he was beside me in corner two, but I was on the inside and didn't back off and was able to keep him behind. We have been struggling a little bit recently and we were under pressure from some teams, so this second place is a real boost for our morale."

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari, 3rd): "I got a pretty good start but then braking into turn one I was trying to turn and there was first one McLaren and then a second. Both hit me and I had nowhere to go other than straight. I lost many places and had some damage on the front. [Late in the race] I was fighting against Robert... I had a few tries to get past him. He went to the inside and I didn't have anywhere to go, we got side by side but I knew that if nobody lifted in turn three I had no option but to run off the circuit."

Nelson Piquet Jr (Renault, 4th): "I am very happy with this great result for the team. I had a bit of luck at the start, but after that the car handled really well: I was on the pace and I just had to remain concentrated and keep pushing. The team is having a really strong end to the season and I hope that is going to continue."

Jarno Trulli (Toyota, 5th): "We have to be happy with that today, but I wanted to give a bit more both to the team and to all the Japanese fans who cheered us on. I was really hoping that we could make the podium but this fifth place was all that we could have done this afternoon. We've been competitive all weekend and the car was good again in the race but the lower temperatures didn't help us."

Mark Webber (Red Bull, 8th): "After a poor start, which put me at the back, I had a good first stint - passing Heidfeld twice, amongst others. The second stint was difficult pace wise as I was having a tricky time on the options. Felipe had fresh tyres towards the finish and also a faster car, so I knew it would be difficult to keep him behind me as his traction was so much better. I pushed him to the limit when he made his overtaking move, but that"s what it"s about, trying to get another point for the team. It was too difficult against his car though and he passed me."

Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber, 9th): "Compared to the Williams cars in front of me, my start was okay, but the Hondas behind got off the grid even better. There was an awful lot of traffic in the first corner and I was lucky to get through all the hassle. I was on a one-stop strategy and it was not easy to handle the heavy car."

Nico Rosberg (Williams, 11th): "Our start was poor due to a technical problem so I just fell to the back of the pack. I was also quite heavy with fuel. I'm satisfied with my performance and it was actually good fun out there today. I gave it 100 per cent and was as quick as Heidfeld, who was on the same strategy. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to score any points."

Rubens Barrichello (Honda, 13th): "I had a great start to the race today, passing three or four cars on the way down to the first corner and was able to hold the position well. Unfortunately I was then hit from behind by Fisichella which damaged the rear end of the car and affected the balance for the remainder of the race. From then on, we were really limited by the poor performance and pace of the car."

Jenson Button (Honda, 14th): "Unfortunately going with the option for my first stint didn't work well and I really suffered from this in the early laps. I was passed by a few cars around the first lap and from then on had graining on the front and rear tyres which meant I was slow through the corners and we couldn't compete on straight-line speed, particularly with a heavy fuel load. Once we put the prime tyre on for the second stint, the balance was much better, but by then it was impossible to catch up and make progress."

Kazuki Nakajima (Williams, 15th): "That was a shame. It was very disappointing to have an accident at the first corner, but I couldn't do anything about it. After the incident, I just tried to do my best for the rest of the race. I don't think our race pace was that great, though, so I couldn't make any progress. We need to go away and work on our performance to see where we can improve for the next time."

Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren, retired): "Kimi initially jumped Lewis [at the start] and then I think Lewis was trying to fight back. They both went a bit deep and I also went a bit deep. I thought it was just a normal first corner. I think so [Hamilton's move was clean]. But I am not the right person to make any calls: I am just a driver, not a judge. I suffered an engine failure. The car has been reliable but sometimes these things happen - metal flying from the exhaust is never a good sign."

David Coulthard (Red Bull, retired): "Into turn one I was trying to go down inside of Bourdais and naturally he came back in towards the apex and there was a bit of bumping and grinding. We accelerated out and into turn two - it was probably the suspension that went and I flew into the barrier. It'll be a new chassis for the next race."

Adrian Sutil (Force India, retired): "Suddenly on the straight the tyre blew and I had to stop the car. It was a shame as we were running 10th and it was feeling really good. We had a fantastic start - from 19th to 11th at the end of the first corner as I stayed to the inside and clear of all the problems, and I was in 10th position within a couple of laps."

Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India, retired): "The start was fantastic for me and I managed to overtake a lot of people. At the first corner there was a lot of mess and cars slowing down a lot - and I touched Barrichello at the back and damaged my front nose slightly. I decided to stay out and it was looking good. We were considering a one-stop strategy which was much more comfortable and I was having a good race, but then unfortunately at the end I had a problem with the gearbox and seventh gear. At least we are fighting again."

Timo Glock (Toyota, retired): "Following David Coulthard's accident it felt like I drove over some of the debris. After that the car felt strange and in the end I lost the car on the kerb at the exit of turn six. I went over the grass and the car launched through the air. When I landed it felt like something broke."

Eurosport

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  1. to all those guys who are threatening to stop watching F1:
    GO AHEAD, those who are saying will stop watching F1. Caus' you are not true F1 fans. Real fans will stay in any case. Only you guys are to lose not F1.
    Also dear amanda 317 don't make fun out of Kimi. He was born as he is so he doesn't have to be same like anyone else.
    Also to British fans: Hamilton is true talented driver, definitely he will be a world champion. But he is not fair play driver. He never admits his mistakes and never apologizes for his mistakes. That makes me sick. I loved Nigel Mansell. He is really a gentlemen. Also same with Damon Hill and David Coulthard.

    From wrc_mgl, on Wed 15 Oct 5:05AM
  2. Gonna stick to watching Snooker! What with the plans tha FIA, MM, BE, Ferraris with their FM & KR! AL ON SO with his u sual I`ll deal with anybody to get a ride in a Ferrari attitude! Theres nothing left to watch on F1.

    From Easyrider2609, on Tue 14 Oct 11:40AM
  3. Joanne: You don't have to worry anymore about being awake to see the US and Canada GPs live. Mad Max and the Poisoned Dwarf have binned them for races in the Far East because they think the North American market is irrelevant.

    From Biggles, on Tue 14 Oct 9:40AM
  4. Joanne: I don't keep bringing up the Canada pit lane c#ck -up. This is the 1st time i have mentioned it and I was replying to a post by Bill Mack. The point I was making was that TWO drivers made the same mistake at almost the same time, I think it was Rosberg (but it could have been Piquet) so PERHAPS there was a problem with seeing the lights.

    From Biggles, on Tue 14 Oct 9:34AM
  5. i like to watch F1,even have to wake up real early to watch the american and canadian grand prix but now...makes me think twice...i prefer watching the motogp and the wrc more...most of the race makes me dozz off..like the valencia...and monaco,singapore..

    From jo-anne, on Tue 14 Oct 8:43AM
  6. rick m's comment makes me think why not put all the drivers in a force india car and lets see who among them is the best...and rick m,stop bringing the canada grand prix pit incident...how can he not see it,well if he cant see the lights maybe he had seen two cars side by side stationary at the exit...maybe he isnt really concentrating onthe road,he's mind is more of overtaking the leader so i could win...hahahaha...which didnt happen..

    From jo-anne, on Tue 14 Oct 8:39AM
  7. I've just watched a bit of the rerun. Compare the Massa Bourdais incident with Kimi exiting the pits on lap 17 then please comment as approprate

    From Mike, on Tue 14 Oct 8:13AM
  8. Bill Mac: I think LH was shunted by Rosberg in Canada, not that it matters now, but maybe there was a problem with the visibility of the pit lights if two drivers made the same mistake.

    From Biggles, on Tue 14 Oct 2:18AM
  9. Sorry but I can't resist making this comment about Kimi R, whilst watching the press conference on Saturday he was almost making me go to sleep with his expressionless voice. I think he should (when he retires) make a CD for insomniacs. It would work better than Nitol (over the counter sleeping aid) he'd make a fortune (sorry Kimi fans!:-) PS LEWIS GO WIN THE TITLE:-)PLEEEEEEEEEAAAASE:-)

    From MJ, on Mon 13 Oct 11:15PM
  10. Why do people keep going on about Canada. He was at fault for running into 2 cars parked side by side, yes. However, I am inclined to believe other F1 drivers that the circumstances were odd and the light was not very obvious from the perspective of the driver. I believe it is less obvious than the ridiculous light system previously employed by Ferrari, which if I remember correctly is about a metre in front of the driver, yet Kimmi failed to notice as did Massa on occasion. P.S. Not Singapore, that was the teams fault not Massa.

    From Say no to FIA, on Mon 13 Oct 9:43PM
  11. JohnK Line 66. You mentioned that Alonso is a real champion
    I have to disagree. Whilst I believe that Alonso is an great driver , a great champion?
    If he was why was Hamilton able to peg him last year in what was LH's first season. Surely a 2 time world champ you be able to beat his newbie team mate.
    Also why does Alonso find himself having to put up with renault next year. He's obviously got more talent in his little finger than Massa could ever have, and miles more motivation to win then Kimi, but the way he handles himself as part of team means that no other team want him. Like I said. Great driver but a poor champ/embassidor for the sport ( also echoed in comments by Bernie Ecclestone in the past)

    From Nick F, on Mon 13 Oct 9:12PM
  12. Look folks, give Ferrari a brake (sic) this is the ONLY WAY THEY CAN SELL CARS! McLaren doesn't seem to care to make any more than they need to stay in business. That's why they let a shunter lead the team. Massa tried the same classic trick twice: tipping the back of the lead car to make it spin. It worked on Hamilton and he got off easy, but he didn't have enough practice to pull it off with Sebastien, without being obvious, and spun himself instead.

    From pHilo, on Mon 13 Oct 8:46PM
  13. Driving a Formula 1 racing car takes SKATE and a lot of Luck
    Skill
    Knowledge
    Attitude
    Training
    Experience
    Just watch and enjoy it
    May the luckiest one take it and all of the drivers LIVE after competeing

    From jh.marable@..., on Mon 13 Oct 8:39PM
  14. Although I ratlle a few cages and like a laugh there is a serious serious problem here that must be addressed. The thing is, I havent got the slightest idea of where one would start. The totally biased slants to the way penalties are being handed out leaves me totally bemused. As far as I am concerned, it is with great sadness, that I will no longer be following this sport. 30 years I have followed this through good times and bad times but I am afraid it has now reached rock bottom. I try to convince myself I am wrong but the recent decisions that have been allowed leads me to the conclusion that there is a far more dangerous precedent being set in that a coloured person is not welcolm as a world champion.
    This I find to be very sad in that there are a lot of fantastic suporters fans out there (even Ferrari Ones) that I am sure must be felling the same way. Perhaps a petition or somthing similar would be a thought. At the very least one could hopefully make the decision makers in this sport aware of the feelings of the fanbase. And do not be kidded no fanbase no sponsor no F1

    From r.l.milligan@..., on Mon 13 Oct 8:21PM
  15. News just in......a top italian motor racing team has changed its name...now to be known as FIArarri!!!!

    From dusty, on Mon 13 Oct 7:43PM
  16. I watched slow motion of the start and could not see any contact with Raikkonen at all from any car. Why do Ferrari drivers have to make up such blatant lies, do they not have brains and realise that looking at TV replays show them to be baffoons!

    From richard.stanley4@..., on Mon 13 Oct 7:30PM
  17. Actually John K if you look at what happened in Canada LH would would have been up KRs backside anyway, because LH was shunted by Piquet (I think). So he would have been out anyway.

    From BigBill, on Mon 13 Oct 6:58PM
  18. Just a few years ago all these situations would have been rightly judged to be 'racing incidents' and ignored by the stewards. Except the one where Massa hit SB coming out of the pits. That was plain incompetence because Massa wasn't THINKING or LOOKING.

    From Biggles, on Mon 13 Oct 6:16PM
  19. Morefious & Shelby: STOP TALKING SENSE. IT IS VERY CONFUSING & NOT ALLOWED. Luckiest driver in JAPAN? - SUTIL - because for once Massa didn't get the chance to put him in a hospital!

    From Biggles, on Mon 13 Oct 6:11PM
  20. OK.... so at the end of the day why are their so many penalties being imposed in F1 now??? answer : because of Michael Schumacher.... He deliberately hit Damon Hill to take the world championship in Australia in 94(?) He tried the same thing on Jaque Villenueve(sp) the following year for which he was stripped of all his points. This is supposed to be the pinacle of motor racing yet drivers resort to throwing their cars at each other to gain points and some of them can't accept the consequences of their actions. Hamilton is struggling under pressure..... as he did last year. Massa (despite what all you Ferrari fans think) is also struggling with the pressure. I do however agree that the FIA penalties are very inconsistent. Hamilton outbraked himself in the first corner. He forced several drivers very wide and several others to take evasive action. We've seen it time and time again in first corner incidents. Yet this time it's different? how so? Then there's the incident between Massa and Hamilton later that lap. Hamilton makes a stab up the inside, Massa tries to outbrake him, fails and has to either fall in behind Hamilton or drive across the grass and throw himself at Hamilton. His choice was the latter. His overtaking manouvre on Webber in my oppinion was dangerous (choosing to drive off the track to overtake) and if anyone had been coming out of the pitlane at that point (I think Sutil was out of the race by then luckily) he would probably have caused a very serious 3 car accident. what was done with that? nothing. He then totally fails to acknowledge that Bourdais even exists at the first corner when Bourdais exitted the pit lane. Does Massa think the other drivers put him on a pedestal above them and will just give evrything to him because he is in close proximity to them? Bourdais was racing him for position. He had every right to take hold his line through that corner and not give it up to Massa. result : another penalty in Ferraris favour.

    From morefious@..., on Mon 13 Oct 5:42PM
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