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

Comment 28 - 47 of 87

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  1. I can't believe people are saying hamilton pushed massa off the track. Massa ran wide trying to defend the corner and went over the track to hit Hamilton. How can anyone see it any different. And Massa went off the track to pass Webber which is clearly getting an unfair advantage and no penalty.

    From denisosulli, on Mon 13 Oct 9:05AM
  2. misty42pixie - about "Oh and are the stewards in Ferraris pockets like they were when Schumacher used to race?"
    Well to tell u the truth Michael never needed the FIA cause almost all the races he won were by miles ahead of everyone else + if u go back to 2006 his last year he got penalized at monaco and started last so much for the FIA helping him. May i suggest thinking before writing stupid comments

    From mauricechlela, on Mon 13 Oct 8:49AM
  3. Hamilton...U pushed Massa of the track, you made him lose his positions. you think that he is going to stay on the side to wait for you to pass. He mistakenly touched you (not hit). Its your imature driving that pushed you off the track. Grow up mate, and if you want to win, win with your heart and cause you want to . Not for others and to seem "popular".

    Secondly, this is Massa's season. And its always been his season from day1.

    Have a nice day...

    From kyle_bartolo, on Mon 13 Oct 8:04AM
  4. both lewis and massa deserved the penalty..

    "We both got the same penalty - I didn't hit anybody but he did. I guess that's the name of the game" - Lewis Hamilton..

    For him.. hit is considered a hit if he physically smashed other car?..he's small head didn't even think that, with what he did, he can cause damage to more than 1 car!!!! his aggressive manouver in the 1st turn will actually hit Kimi if Kimi had not been nice/cautious enough to widen himself..selfish b%$&**%!! I guess if Kimi just being stubborn and not making himself wide..what wud happen..eh?

    Kubica to win now!!!! :D

    From imah i, on Mon 13 Oct 6:51AM
  5. I'd just like to give a mention to Heidfeld in ninth. He may have missed out on the points, but is the only driver to have finished every race so far this season. If Kubica, Hamilton or Massa had his finishing ability this championship would be over

    From ginger_gitt, on Mon 13 Oct 12:28AM
  6. i smell a big red rat.

    From PAUL, on Sun 12 Oct 11:37PM
  7. The sport is being ruined by rules and regulations. I mean, is this supposed to be racing or not? The first corner incident was no different to the ones that Michael Schumacher used to be a part of and he was hardly penalised at all. I believe that there are certain people in the paddock who are jealous of Hamilton's success. He's like a breath of fresh air and has introduced passion into the sport.
    I cannot believe that Bourdais was penalised when he had clearly done nothing wrong! Its a farce.

    Oh and are the stewards in Ferraris pockets like they were when Schumacher used to race?

    From misty42pixie, on Sun 12 Oct 10:47PM
  8. ALSO, maybe Massa was not right when he hit Hamilton, but he revenged Kimi ! That was the happiest moment of the race for me ! Bravo Felipe for kicking Hamilton's as# ! Yupee ! LOL !

    From , on Sun 12 Oct 10:20PM
  9. i find it strange that the only incidents being punished,are the ones that will have an effect on hamilton winning the title.seems they are only looking at how they can help ferrari catch lewis even if it stands out a mile. i smell a big red rat.

    From Peter...toon army, on Sun 12 Oct 9:24PM
  10. Meanwhile the Felipe Massa says "For him yes [the penalty was fair]; for me I am not sure." I'm sure he wasn't forced anywhere, was behind Lewis when he cut the chicane, had all four wheels off the track and caused an avoidable accident.

    From ginger_gitt, on Sun 12 Oct 9:09PM
  11. The 'arrogant', 'imature', 'unprofessional' Lewis Hamilton says after the race "I made a mistake at the first corner and I paid for it." Doesn't sound arrogant or immature to me.

    From ginger_gitt, on Sun 12 Oct 9:07PM
  12. I have watched the race again the first corner incident was no different to any other unless we start boringly behind the safety car.the difference this time was it involved lewis and ferrari losing out.yes give him a drive through if you want but to be spun out by a car that was completely off the track deserved at very least a stop and go.Unfortunately Bordais was in the wrong place at the wrong time and his car wasn't red.I also do not understand why ferrari were not penalised for the pit lane incident last gp with the fuel rig being dragged down the pit lane.Imagine if that rig had hit another pit crew or detached itself and got stuck under the car following.The FIA have wrecked F1 this has been my last race viewing all the teams now need to take a stand against the inconsistancy and bias of the stewards.this year its maclaren next year it might be bmw on the recieving end.If like I hope they too are pushing ferrari

    From busbilly1000, on Sun 12 Oct 6:36PM
  13. agree with shivnesh_jagroop.. i'm also a ferrari-massa fan, but to be honest, bourdais shouldn't be penalised.. boudais should be given back his point.. as for massa and hamilton's penalty, i think it's fair enough.. both hit other drivers (hamilton claiming massa hit somebody, which is hamilton himself, and he himself (hamilton) didn't hit anybody.. but clearly he (hamilton) also hit somebody as raikkonen claimed to be hit by him) and thoroughly deserved their "equal" drive-through penalties..

    From Martin, on Sun 12 Oct 6:00PM
  14. Hamilton messed up the start but he was still in contention, until he was dropped kicked by massa, his race was ultimately over at that point, his drive through penalty is a joke, i can remember the same thing happened at spa at the start but no one got a penalty, the FIA never heard no harm no foul, but when kimi practically raped sutil at the Monaco again no penalty. what a disgrace.

    From Tasus, on Sun 12 Oct 5:52PM
  15. i'm a Massa fan but that last accident with torro rosso was not a penalty. it was a racing accident.

    again stwards stopping drivers from being ageressive

    From shivnesh, on Sun 12 Oct 3:09PM
  16. I tho't the stewards at spa were pathetic, but they are saints to the ones at fuji. I have never ever seen someone being penalized for defending his line. I think more teams will start realising it is time they pulled out and form another association.

    From bosun_dele, on Sun 12 Oct 2:29PM
  17. I think the 2009 cars ought to be made out of Nerf and the stewards should be banished.

    From Tom J, on Sun 12 Oct 2:29PM
  18. New idea for next season no constructors championship give it to ferrari. secondly all drivers will be driving ferrari's to keep ferrari and fia happy then maybe all drivers get the chance to race instead of be penalized for nor having a ferrari

    From red, on Sun 12 Oct 2:13PM
  19. allright,got it Jerry mate ;), no real offence but its this sorry state of administration of the sport I love so much that is spoiling my mood here. However u can c I am with you on your 2nd comment mate. It still puzzles me here.

    From Brian, on Sun 12 Oct 2:03PM
  20. fred b,
    Next year it'll probably be the tracks. Hamilton's gonna complain that the tracks are fitted with sensors that reduce grip when he drives around the circuit

    From arshad_iceman2, on Sun 12 Oct 1:32PM
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