Hamilton penalised; Massa gifted Belgian GP victory
Filed Under: F1 News, Lead Articles
Belgian Grand Prix stewards have handed a retrospective 25 second time penalty to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton for cutting the chicane whilst fighting over the lead with Kimi Raikkonen. The penalty means that Ferrari’s Felipe Massa is now the race winner, BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld is promoted to second, with Hamilton now demoted to third.
The result means that Hamilton still leads the drivers’ championship with 76 points, just two points ahead of Felipe Massa. Robert Kubica is in third with 58. Raikkonen’s non-finish in today’s race means he is now fourth with 57 points. Ferrari continue to lead the constructors’ championship with 131 points, with McLaren now on 119 points.
It comes as no surprise that McLaren are not happy with the Belgian race stewards’ decision and they have lodged a notice of intention to appeal against the penalty. The appeal will now be heard in front of the FIA. Ferrari have insisted that they did not launch any protest with race officials over Hamilton’s overtaking manoeuvre.
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Jim | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
Is it just me or is there a vendetta against Hamilton & co? I think there was nothing. He evaded to avoid a collision, passed, let him be passed and attacked again… Master move. McLaren stand up for a chance and show some teeth. Ferrari, stop being such sore losers!
Ben | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
What a joke.
Dartanian22 | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Outraged .. I have had enough of watching F1 only to have the so called officals make up the rules as they go along to penalise drivers at will.. don’t deny it its blatant an indefensible bias’s !!
I love the sport and the teams and the drivers and this race was fantastic and Hamilton did an amazing job in the wet, and kimi showed great skill to hold the lead but if this desicison is not over turnned for the good of the sport I like many others will cancel my hotel booking in melbourne and the uk for next season and find an honest motorsport to watch
Andy | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Lewis definitely deserve penalised. He’s clearly cut the chicane and gain advantage. Stewards are right on.
Dav | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Just you…
TRAPSTAR | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
stewards has sumtin againts mclaren… every1 could c it was a fair race and thats motorsport…stewards are killing F1
Ken | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
The SPA result only goes to show the FIA Stewards are in Ferrari’s pockets and will take ANY opportunity to penalise Mclaren! Last race Massa was under investigation for breaking the rules and what a surprise no penalty, but as soon the smallest opportunity comes the stewards way to penalise mcLaren they take it! The way I feel at the moment |I won’t be watching anymore F1 as the stewards will try to fix it in Ferrari’s favour whenever they can!!!
Carlos Saldarriaga | Sep 8, 2008 | Reply
Its amazing F-1 is throught my life the most exciting and corrupted sport in the world. One who`s only aim is to make it virtually imposible for a team to win a Ferrari.
What happened yesterday its unbelivable. However its nothing different to what has happened to Montoya with its Michelin tyres and many other drivers that I don`t want to recall.
All other teams should quit the championship and let pampered Ferrari race by itself that surely will make for an exciting championship.
Rick | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Ken, couldn’t agree with you more. I am sure a few other million F1 fans feel the same too. Okay give Massa a 25sec penalty at Valencia. Give him back his 10,000 pounds. Fair is fair. Why double standards? Kimi and Massa should have the guts to speak up as gentlemen.