AsiaOne: F1 humiliated by S'pore race, says Ferrari head

[g8crasher]

F1 humiliated by S'pore race, says Ferrari head

MILAN, ITALY - Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has poured scorn on Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, saying the "circus" track and the use of the safety car had been humiliating for Formula One.

Formula One's first night race drew rave reviews from participants and onlookers, including the sport's delighted supremo Bernie Ecclestone, but was one to forget for the Italian team.

Brazilian title contender Felipe Massa had his race ruined by a bungled pit stop while faltering world champion Kimi Raikkonen crashed near the end.

"When we race on tracks which should be used for the circus, anything can happen including the spectacle of the Safety Car," Montezemolo was quoted as saying in Tuesday's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

"All this is humiliating for F1 and it is an aspect I want to talk about with the other teams in the next few weeks."

Singapore saw two safety car interventions, the first of which turned the race upside down and contributed to Spaniard Fernando Alonso's unexpected victory for Renault.

Montezemolo, appointed this month as the first chairman of the Formula One Teams Association, said before the race that street circuits and the lack of overtaking opportunities were not the right way forward for the sport.

Ferrari's failure to score any points in Singapore meant McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, third behind winner Fernando Alonso, extended his championship lead over Massa to seven points with three races left.

Finn Raikkonen is out of contention but Montezemolo still sounded confident.

"We have the best Ferrari, Massa is the best. I expect... Raikkonen to show he is world champion in the remaining races, to help Massa, to race for the good of the team and to finish in front of the McLarens," he said.

The team president also backed the mechanics who gave Massa the green light during a pit stop despite the fuel hose still being attached to the car as he sped away.

"We have extraordinary mechanics who in other occasions have swung results our way. We must stay close to each other because Ferrari are always world champions and are still in the running to win," Montezemolo added.

(Writing by Mark Meadows, editing by Alan Baldwin)

http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/Motorworld/Story/A1Story20081001-91015.html

Sour grapes...

[Guest Mike]

Yes literally...

[keltanky]

REAL SOUR GRAPES

He can't lose gracisously! Hai.. Want to find fault to play tai qi!

[Guest Rysk]

Can't afford to lose... given all kind of excuses... no sportmanship lah!

If Ferrari won, maybe he will say is one of the best street track he had never came across.. they have all the luck in S'pore track, etc!! haha

[Guest redhood]

So F1 also humiliated when Massa won pole position and Kimi was 3rd? Does that make Massa the fastest clown? :bboyspin:

[Guest Otsego]

last year win, now give McLaren chance la

[Guest Mike]

i totally agree with Rysk... nv win blame this blame that blame the track.... wat is this man

[Guest angela]

So F1 also humiliated when Massa won pole position and Kimi was 3rd? Does that make Massa the fastest clown? :bboyspin:

good one! this will come back to haunt them.

[Guest sy69u]

next year sg F1, farkrari dont need to take part wat..... just give up lor..... nobody forcing them to join.. just lose points only mah.... farkrari!! hehehehe

[Guest jameslhm]

Hai such a sore loser

[Guest Mike]

ya lor...

[Guest fruitcakepablohoney]

My friend was Marshall in front of Ferrari pit, after the cock up in the pits, 2 crew members was almost fighting, 1 was about to throw the fire extinguisher.

The funniest was when they were carrying the 'python' back! :snglfk:

[g8crasher]

after the cock up in the pits

bro I like your style man!!

[Guest Mike]

yea... cock up...

[Guest kopimonster]

sore loser....