German Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton is to have his engine checked by the FIA, but only as part of a routine programme resulting from the technology freeze imposed ahead of last season.
While it is true that the FIA has requested an inspection of the engine that helped propel Lewis Hamilton to victory in Sunday's German Grand Prix, it is understood that the checks are only part of a routine programme.
Hamilton claimed pole position and appeared to be romping to victory at Hockenheim before the safety car was scrambled for Timo Glock's accident. What appeared to be a gaffe on pitwall by McLaren's tacticians left the Briton back in fifth place after he was forced to make a green flag stop, but put himself back on the top step of the podium by passing both Felipe Massa and Nelson Piquet Jr in the closing stages.
While the Briton's rivals may be eager to learn the outcome of the inspection - which will take place the day before the Hungarian Grand Prix gets underway - Spanish newspaper As confirms that it is merely a part of the governing body's routine policy of checking the components of engines now that the technology freeze has been put in place to keep costs down. Engines are selected at random, and Hamilton's just happened to be drawn after its Hockenheim success. The report claims that the full range of checks was unable to be completed immediately after the German race, hence the need for McLaren to present the V10 in Budapest.
While Ferrari will be particularly keen to know if there is an untoward reason for Hamilton's ability to out-run both Massa and Kimi Raikkonen at Hockenheim, it acknowledges that the real reason will be McLaren moving ahead of it in development over the past few rounds. As a result, the Scuderia worked on various ideas during the recent Jerez test in an effort to peg the Woking team back.
"After carrying out many tests over these past few days, we think we have understood the cause of our problems," world champion Raikkonen admitted, "In the last day, our car has improved a lot and we are ready for the next few races. Our rivals look very strong, but there is still time for us to recover."
Among the developments Ferrari is rumoured to be trying is the sort of engine cover 'fin' pioneered by Red Bull Racing and since copied by others, including Renault, during the season.
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Oops, Mclaren/Mercedes engine.
Looks like the Mclaren engine passed FIA inspection. What now Ferrari?
I really hope that is something wrong with his engine.
He is a great talent,but I don't like his attitude.
If he put himself little more on the ground,and stop looking on others drivers like they are "so small" for him,somebody will have to remind him that there is more drivers who have same chance to winn a race,not only him.
Ihope that he never win another race,untill he change his Golden attitude.
If you respect others,you will be respected,but behavior like I'm the one and only really go on my nervs.
He have a lot to learn from others drivers.
I really hope there is something wrong about hamiltons engine so he gets penalised, I mean cheating is the only real way in which Mclaren can beat Ferrari as they are soo superior. I absolutely hate Hamilton and would love to see the @#$% @#$% crash in the next race - the year he wins the championship is the year I become prime minister which will be NEVER.
thanks wsdragons!! i didn't know that ferrari/schummy had been targeted so often... sheez you'd think that dennis would be tickled pink in light of this... hmmm who knows, maybe he DOES have something to hide?? time will tell...
to maria aries... just so you know, i am not one of the "we" that is ashamed of mosley, and not only because i don't know him as a person, but because it's nobody's business what the man does behind closed doors with willing participants... though i do NOT condone his actions, i defend his right to choose... besides, maria, "dear" this article was actually about hamilton's impending engine inspection... nothing to do with max, "dear"... you know, maybe you need a cuppa tea to calm yourself?? i promise, you'll feel better in the morning... night...
to jamesmoore -- didn't miss it!! but i still wanna help you!! =;-)
These random tests have been going on for years. They are usually conducted when a car appears to have a significant advantage over the other competitors. Michael Schmacher's car was subject to several inspections of this type during his championship run. The reason that this particular incident is so publicized is the press. They are so desperate for "shocking" news, that they will jump on anything that could possibly generate a controversy. McLaren just happens to be the "flavor of the moment" because of last year's "spygate" affair. There is no bias or conspiracy involved.
sagittarius1958, how could you possibly miss the sarcasm in my comment!? It's almost as obvious as Lewis's winning margin at Silverstone!! :-)
Just 'cos Lewis won 2 on the trot all anti british @#$%
Mosley, please.
"The report claims that the full range of checks was unable to be completed immediately after the German race, hence the need for McLaren to present the V10 in Budapest."
I think I see the problem here.
Max we feel ashamed of you. You look nothing but a sexual perv.
Why don't you go and do something else that suits you.
Any possibilities of engine DOPING? A week after the race? This must be out of curiosity and not routine checks. Hopefully its none of FIA's after-thought actions. Wake me up to comment more on this when the results are out. By the way Mosley, can we share the £60K
FIA are allowed to check any car they please which is fine, last two year it has been the Ferrari's because of Ron Dennis Emplimenting they where cheating now the boot is on the other foot and he cant take it he was told his by FIA official he's cars would be watched after the court case with the spy scadel with ferrari, if he cant take it he should go the stupid old fart
Does anyone know if there are any fine/penalties/ sanctions that could arise from this "inspection"..
Hmmm, hmmmmm, hmmmmmmmmm.I smell rotten fish here,Max Mosley please go enjoy ur 60k booty in peace,STOP THIS WITCHHUNT,LEAVE L.H alone or else I will expose more than NOTW and possibly pay u 1 million bucks in damages,how about that , huh!!
to jamesmoore -- e tu brutus?? are you buying into the conspiracy theory?? please, try to save yourself now... i'll help. ok?? =;-)
Apparently Lewis Hamilton was using parts from the now retired Concorde in his Engine. That explains why random checks fell bang on LH engine. There are 20 Cars on the grid and for a random check to fall on the race winner / Maclaren? I have this feeling that this years GP is going to be decided in the court rooms. Meanwhile, it is not all doom and gloom. The good news is that the venerable and very upright president of the super unbiased FIA has just won a few quid for the right to bang 5 lovely ladies. I can bet my hat he chose the car himself. Bring it on Ferari!!! Bring it on FIA (They seem to be joined at the hip) See you in court... yet again...
Quote - "In Motor Racing when a Team appears to have an edge over its rivals, it is quite common for Race Officials to make spot checks on the Team.
In years past Ferrari has had its Fuel, Wings etc., checked so there is nothing unusual about random checking."
Quite right, however it is strange that whenever anyone other than Ferrari have elements checked for legality, it is carried out with so much publicity as if to imply wrongdoing! Even when Ferrari had their movable floor checked after Australia 07, had it not been for the spy scandel, I very much doubt the checks on Ferrari would have been made public! As usual, Ferrari cannot accept that McClaren produced a race winning car for Lewis and they and their drivers did not! Bad Sportsmanship and a case of throwing the dummy from the pram by Ferrari!
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