Petrov penalised, Massa spared

[Sianellen]

Vitaly Petrov has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the next round of the championship at Korea for his collision with Nico Hülkenberg on the first lap of the Japanese Grand Prix.

However Felipe Massa has not been punished for his collision moments later with Vitantonio Liuzzi.

All four drivers retired from the race.

Massa went off the track at the first corner, rejoined and hit Liuzzi. The stewards said:

"The stewards after hearing the explanation of both the competitors representatives and the drivers decided that the incident requires no further action."

Petrov was given a penalty for “[Causing] a collision with car 10, Nico Hülkenberg.”

[racingbradley]

Thanks for the info Sianellen. i feared he had incurred a penalty for the next race. :clap

[Katu]

good for Massa, but i don't think they should have penalized Petrov. maybe it was to console Hülkenberg after hamilton blocked him in quali and they did nothing

[zakfourie]

Massa is so so so lucky.
That was not very wise from him though.

[Greig]

Don't see what Massa did too wrong, just a racing accident, once he was on the grass there was nothing he could do

[Suzie]

Massa is so so so lucky.


Not a word I'd use to describe him :-??

[Stormsearcher]

Don't see what Massa did too wrong, just a racing accident, once he was on the grass there was nothing he could do

I think the point was he shouldnt have been on the grass in the first place. My guess is he got mugged and instead of relinquishing the position he decided to go on to the grass, but last nights rain would have made it exceedingly slippery.
Something a bit more calculated is expected from a driver who was a few seconds away from winning the championship in 2008. Disappointing really.
But the stewards decision is right, he cannot be penalised for this. Dont think Petrov should have been either.

[Anni]

I am gald Felipe hasn´t been punished, but the most important thing is he is fine. It wasn´t a big crash, but to see him in a wreck woke bad memories. Maybe that was silly but it was the way I felt.

[Greig]

I think the point was he shouldnt have been on the grass in the first place. My guess is he got mugged and instead of relinquishing the position he decided to go on to the grass, but last nights rain would have made it exceedingly slippery.
Something a bit more calculated is expected from a driver who was a few seconds away from winning the championship in 2008. Disappointing really.
But the stewards decision is right, he cannot be penalised for this. Dont think Petrov should have been either.

Nico pretty much made him go there from what I seen, 3 into 1 just doesn't go as Alonso found out as well at Australia, and he is a 2 times champ ;-)

[Stormsearcher]

Nico pretty much made him go there from what I seen, 3 into 1 just doesn't go as Alonso found out as well at Australia, and he is a 2 times champ ;-)

lol.. true. But alonso came out of it with some points. Didnt notice the thing about nico. I saw him weave left and then right and suddenly take off...

[REDARMYSOJA]

I hate that Massa crashed out, but at least he speared Luizzi. A little payback for Luizzi ruining Massa's race at Canada earlier this year.

[MarlboroFA]

Felipe really has had some bad luck the last couple of races, I think (hope) it`s over now...It`s time Massa passes on the bad luck to Webber......

[Tifosi]

lol.. true. But alonso came out of it with some points. Didnt notice the thing about nico. I saw him weave left and then right and suddenly take off...

Strange how you justify a mistake where a recovery was possible yet condemn one where it wasn't as if this lessens the mistake in some way. :Hmm

[Stormsearcher]

Strange how you justify a mistake where a recovery was possible yet condemn one where it wasn't as if this lessens the mistake in some way. :Hmm

Just stating facts and observations. Not justifying anything.

[racingbradley]

Nice to see no hard feelings!http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYJrB8ZJQ8A/TLHLS8TaIOI/AAAAAAAAPMM/t_fqWW0FFww/s1600/5425.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYJrB8ZJQ8A/TLHLpGxW_BI/AAAAAAAAPNU/J5mScY0Lq_U/s1600/164104.jpgThe car from this angle doesn't look too bad---wonder if engine & gearbox are usuable again?

[zakfourie]

I know I shouldn't say it...but it was a bit funny... :lol

Martin Brundle: "That car looks like Bambi being born with its legs pointing all over the place."

[Agron]

Nice to see no hard feelings!I think he is grabbing to take him down from the bike. Joking of course ;-)

[Anni]

I think he is grabbing to take him down from the bike. Joking of course ;-)

:lol