24-Aug-08: European Grand Prix Update
Welcome to an F1 Minute update for the 24th August 2008.
Earlier today, I talked of the European Grand Prix at Valencia, and we were left wondering how the mechanic was that Kimi Raikkonen knocked down in a pit stop incident, and whether Massa was going to receive a penalty for his own pit lane misdemeanour. We know have the answer to both.
The mechanic, Pietro Timpini, has suffered from a fracture to the left foot and is also apparently complaining of back pain, but it does not appear to be too serious. It seems his first words were an apology, as though the incident was his fault, which just shows you how dedicated the Ferrari guys are. Raikkonen has admitted the mistake was his and apologised to the mechanic, so all is well.
Regarding Massa, the stewards released a statement about an hour after the race came to it’s conclusion. They decided that his release from the pit stop was unsafe but that no sporting advantage was obtained, thus the team have been reprimanded and Ferrari fined 10,000 Euros. Massa’s victory is secure.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
21-Jun-08: Raikkonen Secures Ferrari’s 200th Pole Position
This is F1 Minute for the 21st June 2008.
Kimi Raikkonen has secured Ferrari’s 200th pole position today, with Felipe Massa helping the team lock out the front row.
Free Practice 3 was slightly bizarre with Nelson Piquet topping the timesheets, so that gave nothing away as to what would happen in qualifying. The first two sessions saw nothing out of the ordinary, except for Heidfeld struggling to get out of 18th position. He finally managed to pull his BMW into 12th in the nick of time. Other than that the bottom of the timesheets saw team mates sticking together. Force India’s last, then both Honda drivers, both Williams and Toro Rossos.
At the top, Hamilton and Alonso followed the Ferrari’s, but with Hamilton’s ten place grid drop, that promotes Alonso to third. Kovalainen in the other McLaren also suffered at the hands of the stewards, being handed a five place grid drop for impeding Mark Webber on a hot lap.
Finally, on that subject, Raikkonen was fined 5,000 Euros for turning up late to the driver’s post-practice meeting on Friday.
That’s all for today, join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.