United States GP - Race Thread

**Rob** · 18th November 2012, 17:35

Felipe,will be also on cleaner side if they do it.

**Katu** · 18th November 2012, 17:35

still just rumours

**Hornet** · 18th November 2012, 17:36

Originally Posted by Suzie

Not turning my back on the team at all; or at least not 50% of it.

I'm sorry for my strong replies, I just hope we can keep the mocking at bay. Fine to disagree, but lets not mock the team.

Originally Posted by FFFerrari

I never liked what happened in Austria back in the day, I didn't really like what Massa and Kimi did to each other ON TRACK in 2007 and 2008 and I sure didn't like what happened in Germany. I like it when drivers of the same team are allowed to race against each other and are treated equally. This is a penalty for Felipe for doing a too good job on quali.

Ferrari does not operate that way. And no, Ferrari did not do this because Massa was ahead. It was simply an opportunity to help us improve our start.

**pericoloso** · 18th November 2012, 17:36

I don't know what the big deal is... Red Bull have been cheating, breaking and/or bending the rules for years and winning titles as a result. We need to start doing the same thing sine it seems it's the nly way to win. It's about time we start growing a pair. If RB state the the spirit of the regulations aren't the same as the written regulations they are making it clear that they will do ANYTHING to win. I am not saying that Ferrari should break any rules but we need someone to look at what the rules say AND what they don't say and start pushing the limts again. That is the real genius of Adrain Newey.

Besides, no rules have been broken

**Sianellen** · 18th November 2012, 17:37

Pete Gill ‏@skysportspete
Confirmed from @tedkravitz, "Ferrari haven't done anything...yet"

**Kyss4k** · 18th November 2012, 17:39

Originally Posted by Suzie

Changing positions on track is a tad different from effectively penalising a driver before the race even starts for committing the heinous crime of outqualifying Ferrari's Saviour Alonso.

Well, maybe it isn't bad thing at all. Felipe and Fernando would start from dirty side and (based of what was said about this side of the track) they would lose some possitions right on start. This way they are both on clean side and if everything will go well, both of them should get past a lot of cars right at the beginning. And with Felipe's mighty starts I wouldn't be surprised if he would claim 4-5 places there.

**FFFerrari** · 18th November 2012, 17:43

Originally Posted by Hornet

Ferrari does not operate that way. And no, Ferrari did not do this because Massa was ahead. It was simply an opportunity to help us improve our start.

Ferrari didn't have a #1 driver 2007-2009 except for brief periods of time, also if you look back before Schumacher era, we had two more or less equal drivers. We don't currently operate like that, but it doesn't mean that I can't hope we did.

And this couldn't be done without Felipe qualifying on a better position than Alonso other than Fernando himself taking a 5 spot penalty and getting the clean side.

**Katu** · 18th November 2012, 17:43

so now it has been confirmed

**Sianellen** · 18th November 2012, 17:44

F1 Fanatic ‏@f1fanatic_co_uk
Ferrari's Luca Colajanni tells Sky "This decision has been taken to maximise the potential at the start for Fernando". #F1

**Fer12** · 18th November 2012, 17:44

Starting from the dirty side will cause u two grid positions(Estimated by engineers).If both Alonso and Massa lose two positions,its goin to be a nightmare!!!However if they bump Alonso to the clean side,He might jump a couple of cars and get close to Vet or alteast push the title battle to the nxt race(End the race in top 4)..

**Axelsson** · 18th November 2012, 17:44

Massa gets penalty, Alonso moves to clean side

Ferrari has broken the official FIA seal on Felipe Massa's gearbox ahead of the United States Grand Prix, meaning the Brazilian driver will be given a five-place grid penalty for this afternoon's race. As a result of the Maranello-based outfit's actions, team-mate Fernando Alonso now moves on to the 'clean side' for the start.

As race day preparations got underway in Austin, rumours over the potential change gathered momentum in the paddock. Alonso posted the ninth fastest time in Saturday afternoon's qualifying session, but a grid drop for Romain Grosjean promoted him to eighth and on to the dirtier side of the grid. With engineers up and down the pit lane expecting severely problematic starts from the 'even number' slots, the move was assessed by Ferrari.

At around 11am local time the initial reports were confirmed, meaning Massa drops down the order to 11th place, with Alonso now departing from seventh on the grid. It is currently unknown as to whether or not Massa's gearbox will now be replaced.

**Ken** · 18th November 2012, 17:45

Its official
I dunno

**FIAT PALIO** · 18th November 2012, 17:45

Originally Posted by pericoloso

I don't know what the big deal is... Red Bull have been cheating, breaking and/or bending the rules for years and winning titles as a result. We need to start doing the same thing sine it seems it's the nly way to win. It's about time we start growing a pair. If RB state the the spirit of the regulations aren't the same as the written regulations they are making it clear that they will do ANYTHING to win. I am not saying that Ferrari should break any rules but we need someone to look at what the rules say AND what they don't say and start pushing the limts again. That is the real genius of Adrain Newey.

Besides, no rules have been broken

Ian Parkes‏@ianparkesf1

What Ferrari doing with Alo/Mas no diff to what Red Bull did in AbDhab when they chose to start from pitlane to work on Seb's car overnight

**Rob** · 18th November 2012, 17:46

Ok now lets get on with it and win the WDC.

As Luca says, its the team that counts. Always have been and always will be. Lets go get Seb Fernando. And Felipe get cracking start and jump up to 5-6 by 2nd corner.

Forza Ferrari.

Oh Sky shut up, its not negative, its sport, a team sport. Both drivers now on cleaner side.

**fadyferrari** · 18th November 2012, 17:47

Originally Posted by Suzie

Changing positions on track is a tad different from effectively penalising a driver before the race even starts for committing the heinous crime of outqualifying Ferrari's Saviour Alonso.

get over it now...i know massa did a good job in qualifying and alonso didnt do as well as him,but whats done is done!we can only try our best to save the rest of the weekend....noone can tell u the exact outcome of the race ,but what would u do if u were in ferrari's shoes and every race simulation tells u that u will lose about 4 places from the dirty side right at the start????

and massa has already said he would do anything to help fernando win this championship...he is a team player.....and if he really said that from the heart he wouldnt mind taking a penalty for alonso's sake....moreover massa even said he is already looking past this season....

**Hornet** · 18th November 2012, 17:47

Originally Posted by FFFerrari

Ferrari didn't have a #1 driver 2007-2009 except for brief periods of time, also if you look back before Schumacher era, we had two more or less equal drivers. We don't currently operate like that, but it doesn't mean that I can't hope we did.

And this couldn't be done without Felipe qualifying on a better position than Alonso other than Fernando himself taking a 5 spot penalty and getting the clean side.

Perhaps, but since Schumi era, we know that Ferrari's approach is to have a #1 driver and focus on that #1 driver. Ferrari is doing the same thing now 10 years later. Massa is a strong driver and I think that's what causing the divide among us fans now. Had it been a lousy driver I think most of us would not have reacted as strongly.

Ferrari is all about WDC fight now. That's the way it is. Whether you are a Ferrari fan or Massa fan first, its something you have to come in terms with so long as Massa is driving for Ferrari. Massa knew this too when he signed up for Ferrari.

**Katu** · 18th November 2012, 17:50

Originally Posted by Suzie

Changing positions on track is a tad different from effectively penalising a driver before the race even starts for committing the heinous crime of outqualifying Ferrari's Saviour Alonso.

well at least he wasn't told to crash

**Hermann** · 18th November 2012, 17:50

Wow, Ferrari-bashing on autosport reaching epic proportions. Just because of a broken gearbox seal....really, sometimes i think Ferrari must be the most hated team in whole F1. RB cheating not even makes anyone raise an eyebrow.

**Senna4Ever** · 18th November 2012, 17:50

Originally Posted by FFFerrari

Ferrari didn't have a #1 also if you look back before Schumacher era, we had two more or less equal drivers.

of course ... more less then more
and because they were more or less equal drivers Rubens was pis**d of about Ferrari when he has left the team ... haven't followed his comments about his Ferrari years?

**Senna4Ever** · 18th November 2012, 17:53

I can't wait until the first one comes and knows that this was the idea of Alonso ...

**FIAT PALIO** · 18th November 2012, 17:53

Originally Posted by Senna4Ever

of course ... more less then more
and because they were more or less equal drivers Rubens was pis**d of about Ferrari when he has left the team ... haven't followed his comments about his Ferrari years?

Ferrari press guy says: "It's a decision taken to maximise the potential for Fernando at the start..."

**Lesky** · 18th November 2012, 17:54

What about the WCC battle Vs McLaren?

Pretty much a mockery of the sport anyway, Massa being treated like crap as always!

**Hornet** · 18th November 2012, 17:55

Originally Posted by Rob

Oh Sky shut up, its not negative, its sport, a team sport. Both drivers now on cleaner side.

I wonder what they thought when as soon as Vettel came up behind Webber in Abu Dhabi, RB pitted Webber and dump him right into the middle of traffic.

**Katu** · 18th November 2012, 17:55

Originally Posted by Lesky

What about the WCC battle Vs McLaren?

realisticly, not even slightest chance there

**fadyferrari** · 18th November 2012, 17:55

Originally Posted by Rob

Ok now lets get on with it and win the WDC.

As Luca says, its the team that counts. Always have been and always will be. Lets go get Seb Fernando. And Felipe get cracking start and jump up to 5-6 by 2nd corner.

Forza Ferrari.

Oh Sky shut up, its not negative, its sport, a team sport. Both drivers now on cleaner side.

...i guess this is the 1st time i've ever agreed with u ROB....

**Suzie** · 18th November 2012, 17:55

Originally Posted by Lesky

What about the WCC battle Vs McLaren?

No-one seems to care, apparently. Even though that was the main argument for people wanting Massa to go. Because THEN, the WCC was oh-so important.

**Curbs** · 18th November 2012, 17:56

Originally Posted by Suzie

Changing positions on track is a tad different from effectively penalising a driver before the race even starts for committing the heinous crime of outqualifying Ferrari's Saviour Alonso.

Buuhooo, at least he contributes this way. Alonso is the only one with a shot at the title and you think this is unfair. He should be glad he retained his seat for another year.