ferrari american f1 decision

[Jim Birkitt]

so ferrari have just shaken up the grid by damaging massa's gearbox seal so he has to drop 5 places so alonso can start on good side of grid...should this be allowed??why should massa get the penalty!!!!sure they need alonso to get up in top 5 but he has proved this already that his race pace is good but now hulkenberg has to start on the dirty side now also........

[i4n]

As they've just said on Sky F1, it isn't cheating as it's within the rules. However it does come across as completely and utterly unsporting even though they are doing it to help their driver to win the championship.

In the same was as last race with Vettel. Red Bull could have started from the back of the grid accepting the penalty but they chose to start from the Pit Lane so they could change downforce, suspension, gearbox etc etc etc setting after seeing what others were running in Qualifying but it wasn't so obvious so it wasn't talked about in the same way.

At the end of the day a F1 team will do all they can IAW the rules (and what they can get away with outside of them without being caught) to win.

[Jim Birkitt]

i agree totaly but also last week it was known for safety cars which was also another help for vettel but they are thre to win titles not keep people happy so i guess they just doing what is BEST for the team.both drivers know today could be the day championship is won and lost and massa,alonso signed again for next year but this could put real tension in the team for next season.guess alonso has make this decision pay today or else ferrari may have few words

[SlowOne]

Very clever from the strategy team at Ferrari - wish I'd thought of that. The right thing to do and done within the rules. This also helps them in the Constructors which is worth about £80m to first and £50m to second.

Unless they change the rules this is open to anyone - as Ian said, RB did it for Vettel, allowing them to make the crucial change that gave him the edge - longer gear ratios.

Massa will not do anything and there will be no change in tension in the team, He is paid as No.2 and his contract says he is No.2 If that's what you're employed to do, that's what you do.

[Origineelreclamebord]

As a team I would be more proud of getting the drivers' championship without having taken such measures (if they are going to win, that is), but I'm happy that for once the organization don't put penalties on something that is nothing else than clever thinking

And now you see the race result you can say it's an effort that keeps Alonso's chances alive. It will keep the championship more interesting for the last race, so I don't really mind. I hope they will be wheelbanging from the first free practice in Brazil!

[wes j.]

A team will do what it can to win a Championship. After watching the race though Alonso must be worried about finishing 39 seconds behind. Looking forward to Brazil .

[buggy#0]

On Saturday I read on autosport they thought massa's gearbox might need changing anyway. This was before grosjean's penalty, so alonso would have been starting on the clean side already. That means, although unlikely, massa may have had a genuine problem.

[bodgit]

There a 40% chance of rain for the race in Brazil and that could make it anyones race. I would not be suprised if Massa were to lose traction in the wet and collide with Vettel. I could'nt see Webber doing the same though.

[DCM]

Well, the way I see it, although not in the 'spirit' of the sport, they did a tactical move away from the track to give Alonso a better chance on the track. Keeps the thrill going too!