Felipe Massa is the real loser of ‘crashgate’
Roar Guru
By LeftArmSpinner, 20 Sep 2009 LeftArmSpinner is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- crashgate, F1, Fernando Alonso, nelson piquet, race-fixing, renault
‘Crashgate’ is unarguably the most despicable episode of cheating ever discovered in sport. The real loser of the sorry episode is Felipe Massa.
The Ferrari driver arrived in Singapore last season one point behind Lewis Hamilton, and with four races remaining Massa left seven points behind Hamilton, despite leading the race at the time of ‘crashgate’.
We now know from the testimony of Pat Symonds, the Renault Executive Director of Engineering that, prior to the race, he and Flavio Briatore, the Renault team manager, instructed their second driver, Nelson Piquet Junior, to deliberately crash. They specified that the crash take place on lap 13 and at corner 17 so that the other Renault driver, Fernando Alonso, would be given the best chance of winning the race.
The sting was that Alonso, starting from 15th place on the grid, was lightly fuelled and faster than the cars around him. He made up four places in 12 laps before refuelling.
After Piquet’s crash, the safety car was deployed for five laps, compacting the field and closing the pits. However, some teams running light fuel loads were forced into the pits for fuel and received a stop and go penalty as a result.
Massa was leading the race at the time of the accident, with Lewis Hamilton in second place. In the confusion that ensued, Massa and his third placed teammate Kimi Raikkonen entered the pits together. Massa left with the fuel hose still attached to his car and received a drive through penalty because of this mistake, ending any chance of him winning the race or finishing ahead of Hamilton.
By the time all cars had made their pit stops, Alonso was leading the race, and maintained this lead to the chequered flag. Hamilton finished 3rd and extended his points lead over Massa to seven points.
Hamilton eventually won the Formula 1 World Championship by one point.
There is no such thing as a safe, controllable accident in a Formula 1 car, and in particular on a street circuit. Despite this Briatore and Symonds asked Piquet to risk his life to win a car race.
Both owe Piquet a duty of care. Flavio Briatore was also Nelson Piquet Jr’s business manager.
I hope that every party seeks full recompense for the actions of these two desperate, misguided men.
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Mark Young said | September 20th 2009 @ 10:24am | Report comment
I could not agree with you more Leftarm. When you factor in this race with the victory snatched from him in the last laps at Hungary the little brazilian should feel pretty hard done by.
However, he also lucked into a win at Belgium when they inexplicably punished Hamilton so harshly so swings and roundabouts.
What we cannot question though, is what a Bastard act this was by Briatore and Symonds.
And they have form in this area, remember what they found on Schumacher’s steering wheel when he won the title in 1994 whiel driving for them.
Mark Young said | December 23rd 2011 @ 9:46pm | Report comment
Sorry! Year and half later, here I am back again!
What they found on Schumi’s 1994 steering wheel was an extra setting, which when activated, allowed traction control to be activated on his car.
Briatore argued that A: He would have to choose it, to use it and B: You have no proof that we used it.
Basically, His thrust was that the rule was only that you couldn’t use traction control on your car, not that you couldn’t have a traction control setting on your car and not use it.
Senna was sure Schumi was cheating before his tragic death at Imola.
They got a nominal fine and otherwise escaped sanction. Typical FIA inconsistency.
I need to re-read my copy of Senna by Tom Rubython to get more details.
LeftArmSpinner said | September 20th 2009 @ 10:35am | Report comment
what did they find???
Greg Russell said | September 22nd 2009 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Thanks LAS – very factually enlightening.
The only previous argument I had heard regarding the above is that if Singapore results were declared null and void, as they arguably should be given what we now know, then Massa would have won the drivers championship.
From what you are saying, the argument is actually even stronger – without crashgate, Massa may well have beaten Hamilton in Singapore.
Incidentally, is there a word for someone like you who is both a rugbyhead and, I now learn, a petrolhead? I can go toe to toe with you on rugby, but in motorsport I am nothing more than a results reader and pattern detector.
LeftArmSpinner said | September 22nd 2009 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
Greg, I’m a sportshead, but probably most passionate about rugby. they are testing me with the Wellington farce and now refusing to play in a selection trial unless paid.
Give me club rugby, its tribalism, its tries and the ABC commentary team of Pappy et al.
NRL and my Roosters are a constant source of stupidity and frustration and it is so unnecessary. But, I love listening to Wokka Ryan and the boys on the ABC grandstand covering any NRL game. insightful, funny and clever, but never taking themselves too seriously.
I like the cars particularly now that they are closer together in racing terms. I like the underdog getting up.
And the cricket, well interest is waning. Not sure why? I just think there is too much of it. But I love listening to the English coverage and commentary on the radio. Aggers, Blowers, et al. haydos is also a commentator of great promise. Skull is great as is Flem and Thommo.
So you can conclude that I am in it for the entertainment because on so many occasions, the skill, passion and contest are just not there in either the international cricket or rugby.
F1 Fan said | September 24th 2009 @ 2:15am | Report comment
Let me get this straight…Nelson Piquet was responsible for Felipe Massa pulling out of his pits with a fuel hose attached? Wow, thanks for clearing that up.
Mark Young said | December 23rd 2011 @ 9:49pm | Report comment
Hi F1Fan
I think LeftArmSpinner’s arguement is that, had the accident not occured, Massa would have had a normal stop without the craziness that led to him dragging the hose down the lane.
I see your point though, it all went pretty pear shaped for him anyway, but until Piquet’s crash, the wee Brazilian was untouchable and it is reasonable to assume he would have had a good finish had the race not been turned on its head with the safety car.