The FIA has announced an overhaul to the stewarding system at Formula One events for next season, including a new replay system designed to ensure faster decisions.
Race stewards fell under the media spotlight several times this season, most notably following Lewis Hamilton’s 25-second time penalty for cutting a chicane whilst battling Kimi Raikkonen at Spa.
The new measures should not only mean most decisions are made during rather than after the race, they should also make the whole process clearer to the public, with explanations and video evidence posted on the internet after the race.
In addition, there will be stricter requirements concerning the eligibility of stewards, with the FIA planning to invite a number of trainee stewards to races in order to build-up their experience.
Full FIA statement:
During the 2008 season a review took place of the stewarding arrangements in F1. The current panel of stewards consists of two international stewards and one national steward, all of whom must be eligible for the FIA’s super licence. For 2009, the following updates will be made:
- Any national steward participating who is officiating for the first time will be required to ‘observe’ a minimum of one Grand Prix prior to their event.
- At five Grands Prix in 2009, a number of trainee Stewards, nominated by their ASN and selected by the FIA, will be invited to attend.
- Before each Grand Prix, a short CV of each steward will be posted on the FIA website.
- With the benefit of a new replay system available to the stewards, all incidents will be investigated and appropriate action taken during the race, unless it is essential to seek further evidence afterwards.
- Following the race, a short written explanation of steward’s decisions will be published on the FIA website. This will supplement the formal steward’s decision which largely defines the breach of the rules.
- Where appropriate, additional film evidence that the public may not have seen but which was reviewed by the stewards, will be made available on both the FIA and FOM websites.
Note: No former driver is excluded from seeking their ASN national stewarding licence and then, as with all of the existing stewards, if they gain the necessary level of experience in stewarding events at a national, regional and international level the FIA can consider them for a steward’s super licence.
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari F2008 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren Mercedes MP4/23 battle for the lead of the race. Formula One World Championship, Rd 13, Belgian Grand Prix, Race, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Sunday, 7 September 2008 A press release from the FIA announcing that Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren Mercedes has been given a 25 second penalty, relegating him to third position. Formula One World Championship, Rd 13, Belgian Grand Prix, Race, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Sunday, 7 September 2008
11/06/2008
Faster, more transparent stewards’ decisions in ‘09
Alonso and Piquet to remain at Renault for 2009
Renault have announced an unchanged driver line-up for next season with Fernando Alonso signing a two-year extension for 2009 and 2010, and Nelson Piquet confirmed for a further season.
The news brings to an end speculation over the future of both drivers. Alonso had been linked to a possible move to Honda, while many had questioned whether Piquet would be retained after a difficult maiden season with the team.
"We are happy to confirm both Fernando and Nelson for next season," said the team’s Managing Director, Flavio Briatore. "This gives the ING Renault F1 Team one of the most exciting driver pairings with the perfect blend of youth and experience.
“Fernando's commitment for the next two seasons confirms the faith he has in the team and we are delighted to continue working with him. He has been a big asset throughout this difficult season and his leadership and talent, matched with the team's hard work and determination, have paid off with our recent performances, which have placed the ING Renault F1 Team back among the top competitors of Formula One."
Alonso returned to Renault in 2008 after a one-year hiatus with McLaren, having previously won his two world titles with the French squad in 2005 and 2006. Following a difficult start to the season, they came on strong in the latter races, with the Spaniard scoring unexpected wins in Singapore and Japan to help the team to fourth place in the constructors’ championship.
"I have decided to stay with the ING Renault F1 team because, as I have often repeated this season, they have always been my first choice and I feel very happy and comfortable with them,” said Alonso. “It's a very close-knit team with a competitive and winning mentality, and also a relaxed and warm attitude, which suits me perfectly."
"After a difficult start to the season, we have overcome our difficulties and constantly improved our performances. My back-to-back wins in Singapore and Japan, and my recent second place podium finish in Brazil, have proved how competitive we can be. In the past we have won championships together, as well as going through tough moments, but we are now determined to show that we can repeat that success together in the coming seasons."
Piquet’s rookie campaign with Renault featured nine retirements, but also included a podium finish in Germany and four other point-scoring finishes as his form steadily improved throughout the season.
"Obviously I am delighted to have the opportunity to race for the ING Renault F1 Team for a second year,” said the Brazilian. “Although I have had a tough year, I have learned a lot from my rookie season and I will aim to put that experience to good use next season. I want to thank the team for their support this year and for the trust they have shown in me for the future. I'm already excited about 2009 and looking forward to working with the team over the winter so that we can start next season strongly."
Alonso finished fifth in the 2008 driver standings on 61 points, while Piquet ended the season 12th with 19 points.
Read More......
Brno extends MotoGP contract until 2013
MotoGP will return to the Czech venue of Brno until at least 2013, thanks to an extension of the current agreement between the circuit´s owners and World Championship´s commercial rights-holders Dorna Sports.
It is a two-year extension deal on a contract which already covered the period up to 2011, meaning that MotoGP visits to Brno are assured for at least the next five years.
The Brno date is highly popular with the riders and supporters alike, and this year in August the Czech event was attended by massive crowds of nearly 240,000 over the course of the weekend.
The first ever Grand Prix held at Brno was in 1965 on the original 13.94 km long road circuit, with the current circuit introduced in 1987 and used every year since then with the exception of 1992.
In 2009 the Grand Prix Ceske Republiky will be held at the historic Brno track from 14th to 16th August and the event will be the 22nd time that the current circuit has hosted a Grand Prix.
11/04/2008
Montezemolo delighted with Ferrari's 16th constructors’ title
Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has paid tribute to the Italian team and its drivers, Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, after the outfit claimed their 16th constructors’ title on Sunday in Brazil. The Italian team finished the season with 172 points to McLaren’s 151.
“Winning for the eighth time in 10 years - a feat unequalled at world level in any other team sport - proves beyond a shadow of a doubt what an extraordinary group we are,” said Montezemolo on the team’s official website. “We have two great drivers in Felipe and Kimi also, and they deserve all our compliments for a job well done.
“Felipe in particular is in my thoughts as he crossed the finish line yesterday as world champion only to see the title slip through his fingers a few seconds later. I can only imagine how painful that moment must have been for him. However, I would like to give him my very special compliments, not only for dominating the running out there on the track in front of his fans, proving he is worthy indeed of the world title, but also for his maturity and sportsmanship off the track. He's a great champion and a great man.”
Despite winning the Brazilian Grand Prix, Massa lost out on the drivers’ title by one point to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. Montezemolo, however, congratulated Hamilton for his world championship success, and praised the British driver’s performance over the course of the 2008 season.
“I would like to send my congratulations to Lewis Hamilton, the youngest ever world champion in the history of Formula One,” he added. “He was a very powerful rival indeed and his win, close though it was, was well deserved. He'll have the number one on his car next season, but he can rest assured of one thing: we'll be doing our very best to put it back on a Ferrari."
Read More......
Results GP
| Pos. | Rider | Nation | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valentino ROSSI | ITA | Fiat Yamaha Team | 373 |
| 2 | Casey STONER | AUS | Ducati Marlboro Team | 280 |
| 3 | Dani PEDROSA | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | 249 |
| 4 | Jorge LORENZO | SPA | Fiat Yamaha Team | 190 |
| 5 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | ITA | JiR Team Scot MotoGP | 174 |
| 6 | Nicky HAYDEN | USA | Repsol Honda Team | 155 |
| 7 | Colin EDWARDS | USA | Tech 3 Yamaha | 144 |
| 8 | Chris VERMEULEN | AUS | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP | 128 |
| 9 | Shinya NAKANO | JPN | San Carlo Honda Gresini | 126 |
| 10 | Loris CAPIROSSI | ITA | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP | 118 |
| 11 | James TOSELAND | GBR | Tech 3 Yamaha | 105 |
| 12 | Toni ELIAS | SPA | Alice Team | 92 |
| 13 | Sylvain GUINTOLI | FRA | Alice Team | 67 |
| 14 | Alex DE ANGELIS | RSM | San Carlo Honda Gresini | 63 |
| 15 | Randy DE PUNIET | FRA | LCR Honda MotoGP | 61 |
| 16 | John HOPKINS | USA | Kawasaki Racing Team | 57 |
| 17 | Marco MELANDRI | ITA | Ducati Marlboro Team | 51 |
| 18 | Anthony WEST | AUS | Kawasaki Racing Team | 50 |
| 19 | Ben SPIES | USA | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP | 20 |
| 20 | Jamie HACKING | USA | Kawasaki Racing Team | 5 |
| 21 | Tadayuki OKADA | JPN | Repsol Honda Team | 2 |
GP PARTS EUROPE DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA
MotoGP Race Classification
| Pos. | Rider | Nation | Team | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C. STONER | AUS | Ducati Marlboro Team | 46'46.114 |
| 2 | D. PEDROSA | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | + 3.390 |
| 3 | V. ROSSI | ITA | Fiat Yamaha Team | + 12.194 |
| 4 | A. DOVIZIOSO | ITA | JiR Team Scot MotoGP | + 24.159 |
| 5 | N. HAYDEN | USA | Repsol Honda Team | + 26.232 |
| 6 | C. EDWARDS | USA | Tech 3 Yamaha | + 32.209 |
| 7 | S. NAKANO | JPN | San Carlo Honda Gresini | + 34.571 |
| 8 | J. LORENZO | SPA | Fiat Yamaha Team | + 35.661 |
| 9 | L. CAPIROSSI | ITA | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP | + 38.228 |
| 10 | A. DE ANGELIS | RSM | San Carlo Honda Gresini | + 47.583 |
| 11 | J. TOSELAND | GBR | Tech 3 Yamaha | + 52.107 |
| 12 | S. GUINTOLI | FRA | Alice Team | + 52.350 |
| 13 | C. VERMEULEN | AUS | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP | + 52.833 |
| 14 | J. HOPKINS | USA | Kawasaki Racing Team | + 53.227 |
| 15 | R. DE PUNIET | FRA | LCR Honda MotoGP | + 53.411 |
| 16 | M. MELANDRI | ITA | Ducati Marlboro Team | + 1'08.387 |
| 17 | A. WEST | AUS | Kawasaki Racing Team | + 1'11.181 |
| 18 | T. ELIAS | SPA | Alice Team | + 1'37.055 |
Suppo wishes Melandri well after Ducati difficulties
Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo puts 2008 season in perspective.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2008 season was a less than pleasant one for Ducati and Marco Melandri, as what had seemed to be a dream combination failed to click. The Italian entities parted ways in an amicable fashion after agreeing to cut short a two-year deal and, whilst the experience of the season was not a positive one for rider nor team, Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo feels that a lot has been learned from the venture.
`I really hope that Marco will have a better feeling with his bike for next year,´ said Suppo after Melandri´s final race as a Ducati rider before joining Kawasaki. `It was a big surprise; everybody expected him to be fast. We also had some mixed results with Toni (Elias, satellite Ducati rider for the 2008 season), so it seems that it is more up to the rider than the bike. We hope that the next riders on the bike will succeed.´
If 2007 was a dream season for the constructor, 2008 was a more complex affair –although far from a nightmare. Suppo, like rider Casey Stoner, has been able to put the title-conceding year in perspective and draw positive conclusions from the campaign.
`At the end of the day, second in the championship is always a good result; it is our best ever apart from last year,´ says the Italian chief.
`We lost points at the beginning of the season, in some parts due to bad luck. That´s racing. Last year everything was perfect, and this year was a little different.
`It´s a pity that a rider as strong as Casey, with a good bike, lost the title, but he is young and will have time to fight for the title again.´
New Ninja on the way for Kawasaki at Sepang
Michael Bartholemy reveals that Kawasaki are redesigning the Ninja ZX-RR for the 2009 season.
Kawasaki will be rolling out a new Ninja ZX-RR in 2009, with the latest version of the green machine set to make its debut at the Sepang test. The team will provide riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri with the redesigned bike with the hope of eradicating a troublesome rear grip issue that plagued Hopkins and Anthony West last season.
`For the next test in Phillip Island we will basically use the same bike as this season, although of course with a few modifications,´ said Kawasaki MotoGP head Michael Bartholemy at the recent Valencia test. `At the first test of next year we will have two new bikes; it will be the first time since the introduction of the 800cc regulation that we will be building a new bike. This year we were basically using the base from 2007.
`I´m quite nervous about seeing it and seeing how it works, and I hope that with all the tests and things that we have tried this year that we have a lot of information with which to build a competitive bike.´
Bartholemy also put Kawasaki´s decision to test alongside Suzuki in Phillip Island, instead of Jerez, at the end of the month down to the troubles experienced at last month´s race in Australia. New addition Melandri is a former racewinner at the track.
Mengenai Saya
