Archive for September, 2007

Hamilton’s Opinion About The Spying Situation

Saturday, September 8th, 2007

This is what Lewis Hamilton had to say about the current spy saga between the McLaren Mercedes and Ferrari Formula 1 teams:

“Ferrari are being portrayed as the most innocent team. I do not think that is the case, I do not like what Ferrari are putting our team through. I know my team, and we are being been unfairly treated.

It would be a great feeling to win in Italy this weekend. Beating Ferrari on their home ground is going to be a huge blow to their team.

I am generally a relaxed kind of person and I am not usually rattled by anything or anyone. It is the way I have been brought up. I’ve never been rattled in my whole career so I don’t want to start that now.”

F1Hamilton.net

Hamilton Championship Charge Under Threat?

Thursday, September 6th, 2007

There has been a discovery of new evidence in the FIA spy saga, and McLaren have been invited to another hearing at the World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

That doesn’t sound too positive for Lewis Hamilton! Even though Lewis most definitely was not directly involved – he did still profit from a good car, if McLaren Mercedes was found to be guilty.

This would be a very sad situation – a new and very talented racing driver doing very well in his first Formula 1 season, getting caught up in the Formula 1 politics – only to find out near the end of the season that his team was not playing within the rules.

FIA Statement

“Following the receipt of new evidence the World Motor Sport Council has been reconvened for a hearing in Paris on September 13th.”

“In accordance with its decision of July 26th representatives of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have been invited to attend the hearing.”

“The FIA President’s referral of the matter to the International Court of Appeal has been withdrawn.”

McLaren Mercedes Statement

“McLaren Racing has been made aware that new evidence has been presented to the FIA as part of their on-going investigation.”

“As a result we have been informed that the Court of Appeal Hearing scheduled for the 13th September in Paris will now comprise a meeting of the WMSC.”

“McLaren will continue to co-operate fully with the FIA.”

It would be interesting to see what happens now…

Any comments…?

Lewis Has Tyre Puncture In Turkey

Tuesday, September 4th, 2007

Lewis Hamilton’s tyre punctured in the Turkish Grand Prix and caused him to fall from third to fifth.

I think this was unfortunate because third place was looking certain and he would have extended his lead over Alonso, his closest competitor points-wise.

Here’s what Lewis had to say:

It was really unfortunate, all of a sudden I saw some bits started flying off the tyre and it blew, and I was quite fortunate I didn’t put it in the gravel. It was a little bit unfortunate but still we did a good job. The team did a fantastic job all weekend.

We had the pace of the Ferrari’s I think, but when you’re behind them you lose a bit of downforce and I think we were just matching them for the majority of the race.

We still got points.

It’s just a little bit of a problem,

You always have setbacks. We won the last race and we’ve still got five to go.

We’re still leading by five points, so it’s not over, don’t worry.

I couldn’t stop the car, so that wheel was locked and I think the rear wheel was coming up.

So it was extremely tricky, especially as [it's easy to] break their front wing or break the suspension, so I had to try not to go too quick but get back as soon as possible without losing too many places.

I got fifth, so with that problem I think it was a good job.

I did think that the front wing would be broken and I don’t know why we didn’t change it – I think it would have taken too much time.

It really made a huge difference as I had huge under-steer and I couldn’t get round corners, so I couldn’t challenge the BMW [of Nick Heidfeld].

f1hamilton.net