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Hamilton to blame for Spa farce, says Massa
David Smith, Evening Standard09.09.08
Felipe Massa today slammed world title rival Lewis Hamilton for the overtaking manoeuvre that could cost the British driver his victory in the Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton's McLaren team have vowed to fight the decision of FIA stewards to demote their man to third place for overtaking reigning champion Kimi Raikkonen, Massa's Ferrari team-mate, after cutting a chicane at the climax to a dramatic race at rain-hit Spa.
But Massa, provisionally handed a win that sees him close to within two points of Hamilton, believes McLaren have no case.
And ahead of Ferrari's home Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, the Brazilian believes Hamilton only has himself to blame for the controversial 25 second punishment.
"What Lewis did is the sort of thing that can happen," said Massa. "But I think he was maybe a bit too optimistic in thinking he could just hand back the position and then immediately try and pass Kimi again.
"If Lewis had taken the chicane correctly, he would never have been able to pass Kimi on the very short straight that follows it. Maybe if Lewis had waited and tried to pass on the next straight, that would have been different."
Kenyan Surinder Thathi, one of the three stewards involved, today dismissed suggestions of a conspiracy against the McLaren team.
"We acted within the FIA rules," Thathi said.
"I know I am a very unpopular person in the United Kingdom now but I was doing my job and I acted professionally."
Reader views (10)
A travesty!!!
The fact that Ferrari didn’t lodge a protest says it all. It’s racing guys. The only driver being outspoken against Hamilton is Massa (I wonder why). Massa should stop whining like a spoilt school girl and concede that he was beaten by a better man. Apart from Massa the only other people that seam to have a problem are the off circuit officials. Keep the politics out of racing and let the drivers get on with it. If it wasn’t for the fact that I want to see Hamilton beat the Ferrari’s, I would happily turn over and watch X Factor (cringe…)
- Paul Adams, Bristol, UK
Its obvious there's some issue with the FIA and Ron Dennis, Hamilton should focus on his racing and beat those cheating ******** into submission. The whole thing stinks to high heaven!
- Johnny, London
Whats new? we know ferrari runs formula one.What a shower of odd balls running the show at formula one? Bernie the poisened dwarf, Spanker Max,and last but not least some guy called Thathi who recently repremanded a young driver for looking scruffy and having his hair too long, he claimed the young driver was demeaning the sport. Demeaning Formula one? you couldn't make it up.
- James Hennessy, london england
It's just one of those ambiguous situations that will always be open to interpretation. In this instance, I think Hamilton should have been given a little slack; it's that ambition and aggression that makes F1 exciting to watch.
Kevin, G-Portal UK
- Kevin Sweeney, London, UK
Could you imagine if F1 was made up of 'racing' drivers like Massa?....zzzzzzzzzzz
- Jonathan Anthony, London
Wow! Massa things the stewards got it right! Is that supposed to be news.
It is obvious Ecclestone's friendship with Ferrari and Mosley's vendetta with Ron Dennis has favoured Ferrari in decision after decision when it comes to Mclaran.
I prefer to hear the views of Lauda and Stewart who thought the decision was outrageous then the man who gained from the stewards' poor judgements.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague, Czech Republic
Did you really expect Massa to say anything else?
- Peter Glazier, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Well said Anthony!
- John Webster, walsall england
It was clear as a bell that Hamilton had every right to overtake on lap 43, & Raikkonen drove dangerously from then on until he spun out.
Raikkonen went off-track with necessity, Hamilton was forced off the track by a murderous manoeuvre.
Another 2 incidents like that, and a few years ago, Raikkonen would have lost his competition licence.
As for Massa, his comments disgust, and Hamilton might well engineer Massa's retirement in future 2008 events - except he is too sporting...
Prost & Senna weren't so ethical.
Formula 1 is dead without a change in management
- Richard Prior, Bucharest
I find it tragic that the sport is once more being brought into disrepute due to an, at best, misguided interpretation of the rules.
Once more the suspicion that the F1 authorities are biased towards the Ferrari team has reared it's very ugly head, making even long-time fans wonder if the sport is worth watching anymore.
Hamilton & Raikonnen were, as far as some of us remember, racing.
Incidents like this are part of what makes F1 exciting to watch, & should be regarded as part & parcel of the sport.
We are made to wonder if the decision would have gone the same way had the roles been reversed?
F1 does not need another season dogged by politics - it's a sport, let's keep it that way.
- Ian Simkin, Walsall, West Mids, U.K.
