Downforce32

McLaren cleared of any wrongdoing

McLaren have been cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation into whether they illegally used team orders at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Governing body the FIA said after studying the race that McLaren "did nothing which could be described as interfering with the race result".

McLaren had admitted that they had asked Lewis Hamilton not to challenge team-mate Fernando Alonso for victory.

But the FIA declared McLaren's actions "entirely legitimate and reasonable".

It added that it was "standard procedure for a team to tell its drivers to slow down when they have a substantial lead" and  "entirely reasonable to ask the drivers not to put each other at risk".

"McLaren were able to pursue an optimum team strategy because they had a substantial advantage over all other cars.

"They did nothing which could be described as interfering with the race result."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis said in a statement: "The entire team was understandably disappointed that outstanding drives from both Fernando and Lewis resulting in a great one-two victory and McLaren's 150th win was temporarily tarnished.

"The efficient intervention and subsequent inquiry of the FIA into the allegations of the last three days has removed any doubt about the manner in which the team ran its cars during the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix."

The FIA investigation upheld McLaren's argument that Hamilton had been deployed before the race with the possibility of switching to a one-stop strategy, while Alonso was on the optimum two-stop strategy.

This was with a view to the team ensuring they were in the optimum position if a safety car had been deployed, as it has been in four of the previous five races at Monaco.

Hamilton had expressed his confusion at being called in earlier than expected for his first pit stop rather than being left to run the additional laps the extra fuel in his car allowed, which might have allowed him to pass Alonso.

McLaren's decision to call the Englishman in apparently early for his second stop, which also seemed to prevent him challenging Alonso's position, was also questioned.

But  the FIA said: "With no safety car during Alonso's first stint, there was a small but finite risk that it would come out during the five laps before Hamilton had to refuel.

"This would have put him behind the field and at a significant disadvantage to any car on a full (as opposed to optional) one-stop strategy.

"The latter cars would be expected to refuel around lap 40 - ie after the safety car had pitted if it came out during Hamilton's extra laps.

"For similar reasons, Hamilton was called in early for his second pit stop, thus assuring his second place, with or without the safety car."

The FIA statement continued: "Had the car in front of Hamilton not been his team-mate, McLaren might (probably would) have decided to risk the safety car and let Hamilton run for as long as his fuel allowed in the hope he would come out of the pits in the lead after one of his pit stops.

"There is, however, no obligation on them to take this risk in order to overtake their own car. Indeed it would be foolish to do so."

The FIA examined radio communications between McLaren and their drivers, data from the team and a report from the official observer before coming to its conclusions.

Monaco Hump Day

McLaren victory to be probed

Formula One bosses are investigating McLaren for a possible breach of the rules in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis admitted he prevented Britain's Lewis Hamilton challenging eventual winner Fernando Alonso after their first pit stops.

A statement read: "The FIA has launched an investigation into incidents involving the McLaren Mercedes team."

McLaren denied using team orders, which have been banned since 2002, but said they had employed team strategy.

The FIA is investigating a possible breach of the international sporting code.

The code states it will punish "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally".

But a McLaren spokesman insisted: "We are very confident about FIA's investigation into our race strategy.

"All the decisions that we took before and during the race respect perfectly the international sporting code."

At a post-race news conference Dennis admitted he "virtually had to decide in advance" which driver would win because of the challenging nature of the tight street circuit.

Hamilton was hoping to claim his maiden Formula One victory and extend his lead over Alonso in the drivers' championship.

But the 22-year-old was instructed "to take it easy" late on after he closed to within 0.8 seconds of the double world champion.

That left the Spaniard clear to take his second victory of the season 4.095 seconds ahead of his young title rival but left Hamilton bemoaning his second fiddle role.

However, Dennis said he had a clear conscience and insisted there was nothing wrong with his plans for the 78-lap race.

"Team strategy is what you bring to bear to win a Grand Prix; team orders are what you bring to bear to manipulate a Grand Prix," he said.

"We do not, and have not, manipulated Grands Prix unless there are some exceptional circumstances."

Dennis also denied favoring Alonso over Hamilton.

"Lewis and Fernando enjoy being in a competitive team and having competitive cars," he added.

"But one of the things you have to come to accept is that if you are a member of this Grand Prix team, for the vast majority of the time, there is equal opportunity for drivers to race. But Monaco is not one of them.

"Our job is to win races and win world championships," insisted Dennis.

"That rarely, but occasionally, comes before having to allow the drivers to race."

An FIA spokesman declined to say what possible sanction might be faced by the team, who lead Ferrari by 20 points in the championship.

Alonso leads the drivers' standings on 38 points, the same number as Hamilton, but has the edge because he has won two races.

Scot Franchitti clinches Indy 500

Scotland's Dario Franchitti has won the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 after the race was halted by rain after 165 of the 200 scheduled laps.

With speeds of 220mph, the cars are not allowed to race when it rains, and Franchitti held the lead when storm clouds closed in for a second time.

New Zealand's Scott Dixon was second with Brazilian Helio Castroneves third.

Danica Patrick finished seventh while England's Darren Manning came 20th and Dan Wheldon, who won in 2005, 22nd.

"I can hardly believe it," said Franchitti, who became the first Scot to win the race since Jim Clark in 1965.

"Who could have thought it? Now I know what it means to win this race.

"We cut a tire on some debris and had to make a pit stop on lap 143. I was trying to save fuel but when it went green, I had to go.

"I can't believe it. I have to thank my whole team. This is awesome. To be a member of this club is fantastic."

His wife, the actress Ashley Judd, said: "My husband is gifted. I told him, 'Babe, just pick them off.' He raced to 14th to first like a gentleman. I'm so proud of him. This is so overdue for him."

Rain had already caused a three-hour stoppage after 113 laps with Brazil's Tony Kanaan in the lead.

Had the rain stayed, Kanaan would have been declared the winner as the result becomes official once more than 100 laps have been completed.

But the weather cleared up and Franchitti took the lead when Kanaan and defending champion Sam Hornish Jr pitted 10 laps before the rain hit.

At that stage Franchitti only had enough fuel for about another 10 laps, and had the rain stayed away he would have had to stop in order to complete the race.

But racing was suspended when his team-mate Marco Andretti was involved in a multi-car crash and the rain returned to bring the race to an end.

The 20-year-old's car touched wheels with Wheldon and went into the air before landing upside down.

Fortunately, Andretti was able to climb from the wreckage with help from the safety crew.

"I'm one lucky guy," said Andretti. "It was definitely the big one.

"I was trying to fix my mirror under yellow and I had no idea he was there. I was upside-down praying to God."

 

---

Indianapolis 500 result:
1. Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 166 laps in 2 hrs 44mins 03.5608secs at 151.774 mph
2. Scott Dixon (NZ), Dallara-Honda, 0.3610 secs behind (under caution)
3. Helio Castroneves (BRA), Dallara-Honda, same lap
4. Sam Hornish (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
5. Ryan Briscoe (AUS), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
6. Scott Sharp (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
7. Tomas Scheckter (SA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
8. Danica Patrick (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
9. Davey Hamilton (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
10. Vitor Meira (BRA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
11. Jeff Simmons (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
12. Tony Kanaan (BRA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
13. Michael Andretti (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
14. AJ Foyt IV (USA), Dallara-Honda, one lap down
15. Alex Barron (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
16. Kosuke Matsuura (JPN), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
17. Ed Carpenter (USA), Dallara-Honda, two laps down
18. Sarah Fisher (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
19. Buddy Lazier (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
20. Darren Manning (ENG), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
21. Roger Yasukawa (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
22. Dan Wheldon (ENG), Dallara-Honda, three laps down
23. Richie Hearn (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l.
24. Marco Andretti (USA), Dallara-Honda, four laps down, crash
25. Buddy Rice (USA), Dallara-Honda, s.l., crash
26. Al Unser Jnr (USA), Dallara-Honda, five laps down
27. Jaques Lazier (USA), Panoz-Honda, 11 laps down, crash
28. Marty Roth (USA), Dallara-Honda, 18 laps down, crash
29. Phil Giebler (USA), Panoz-Honda, 60 laps down, crash
30. John Andretti (USA), Dallara-Honda, 71 laps down, crash
31. Milka Duno (VEN), Dallara-Honda, 101 laps down, crash
32. Jon Herb (USA), Dallara-Honda, 115 laps down, crash
33. Roberto Moreno (BRA), Panoz-Honda, 130 laps down, crash

McLaren victory in the Monaco Grand Prix

McLaren's Fernando Alonso won a battle with team-mate Lewis Hamilton to take victory in the Monaco Grand Prix for the second year in a row.

The world champion held off Hamilton with help from team strategy to take his second win of the season and retake the world championship lead.

The two men were in a race of their own, with Ferrari driver Felipe Massa unable to keep pace in third place.

Giancarlo Fisichella gave Renault their best result of the year with fourth.

The result leaves Alonso and Hamilton level on 38 points at the head of the championship, which the double world champion leads by virtue of his two wins to Hamilton's none.

Englishman Hamilton was impressive on his debut at one of Formula One's most demanding tracks, and might have won had team orders not intervened.

The two McLaren drivers were closely matched in the first part of the race.

Alonso made an early break, establishing an eight-second advantage after 18 laps, only for Hamilton to peg his lead back to five seconds as they negotiated traffic before their first pit stops.

After the race, Hamilton said he had expected to make his stop five laps after Alonso, which might have given him enough time to make up enough ground to take the lead, and that he was surprised to be called in after only three.

But Alonso said that he had been able to eke out his fuel for two extra laps by driving carefully "in the first part of the race, and the formation lap and things like that". That ensured he held on to the lead.

Hamilton managed to hold the leader's advantage at just four seconds for a while but in the 10 laps before his final pit stop on lap 51 Alonso extended his lead to more than 10 seconds.

And with Hamilton making his final stop just a lap after Alonso, there was no way back for the 22-year-old.

Hamilton stopped on the next lap and closed right up on to the tail of his team-mate with 20 of the 78 laps remaining, but the two men had been told to conserve their equipment and cruise to McLaren's second one-two finish of the season.

It was Hamilton's fourth consecutive second-place finish, and the 17th victory of Alonso's illustrious career.

"It has been a fantastic weekend, no doubt, and to score this hat-trick of pole, fastest lap and win is something very special and even more here in Monaco.

"I enjoyed very much today's race, with a perfect car all through the race. It was so good to drive such a nice car for 78 laps and win at the end."

Hamilton said: "I knew we were both extremely quick, so I could only apply pressure, but he's a two-time world champion and he doesn't really make mistakes.

"I tried to attack him and wanted to win if I could, but I have to accept that I am in my rookie season and he has number one on his car and I have number two. I am the second driver and so I must accept that and respect that for the team."

Massa had kept Hamilton in sight during the first stint, but he went backwards at a dramatic pace after his first pit stop.

With all teams obliged to use both of the available types of tire at some point during the race, Ferrari chose the unusual option of fitting the unfancied softer option in the middle stint when most teams waited until the end.

Massa dropped back at a dramatic pace, ending any thought of challenging the flying McLarens.

"McLaren showed really an incredible pace - even if I'd pushed like 150% on the limit it would have stayed the same," Massa said.

"There was nothing to do. I was just thinking about finishing third and scoring points. Five points [deficit] is nothing in the championship so let's work hard for the next race and try to be in front there."

The Brazilian was the only man not to be lapped by the McLarens and was comfortably clear of Fisichella, who drove an unobtrusively excellent race at a track where the Italian has always been strong.

Fisichella, who qualified fourth, totally eclipsed his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, who lined up 14th on the grid and gained only one place in the race.

Equally impressive was Robert Kubica, who finished fifth for BMW Sauber on his debut at Monaco, one place ahead of his more experienced team-mate Nick Heidfeld.

Alexander Wurz was seventh for Williams, climbing from 11th on the grid, with Massa's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen claiming the final point after a frustrating race in his Ferrari.

The Finn was only 15th on the grid after clouting the barriers in qualifying. He climbed up to 12th on the first lap, but spent much of his race stuck behind the struggling Honda of Jenson Button.

Ferrari had filled his car to the brim at the start, hoping to benefit from stopping as late as possible.

But any hopes of further progress after making his only pit stop on lap 49 were stymied when he was stuck behind Wurz.

Button finished 11th, a place behind team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

The Hondas were both beaten by an impressive performance from American Scott Speed, who was ninth for Toro Rosso after starting 18th.

 

---

Monaco Grand Prix result after 78 laps:

1 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes one hour 40 minutes 29.329 seconds
2 Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 4.095 seconds behind
3 Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari at 1:09.114
4 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault one lap behind
5 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber at one lap
6 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber at one lap
7 Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams-Toyota at one lap
8 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari at one lap
9 Scott Speed (USA) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at one lap
10 Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda at one lap
11 Jenson Button (GB) Honda at one lap
12 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota at one lap
13 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault at one laps
14 David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault at two laps
15 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota at two laps
16 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota at two laps
17 Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda at two laps
18 Anthony Davidson (GB) Super Aguri at two laps
R Christijan Albers (Ned) Spyker-Ferrari 70 laps completed
R Adrian Sutil (Ger) Spyker-Ferrari 53 laps completed
R Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 17 laps completed
R Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1 lap completed

Fastest lap: Fernando Alonso, one minute 15.284 seconds, lap 44

Key: R = retired   

Sato's future undecided

Rumours in the German press suggested Takuma Sato to replace Ralf Schumacher at Toyota next season. After Sato clinched Super Aguri's first championship point two weeks ago the Japanese driver received a lot of attention in the international media.

Sato though has said he has not decided anything yet on his future in Formula 1. "I didn't hear that story yet," Sato said about his suggested move to Toyota. "At the moment we are focussing on Super Aguri. I did not make any decision yet about my future."

Since when did Sato become note worthy - because of Aguri's first championship point? Please - a year ago Sato was on the list of the "dangerous to be around" drivers  -  Takuma Sato was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix. The Super Aguri driver received this heavy punishment for blocking Nick Heidfeld in the final lap during 06's Grand Prix; and was reprimanded earlier that season for blocking faster drivers. In 2006 Sato Retired 6 times, NC 1, and Disq 1 - and 10th was the best finishing position of 2006 - wow - this is not worthy of replacing anyone on any team - especially someone like Ralph.

WTCC - Valencia - rounds 5 & 6 - Race

2007 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC)
Rounds 5 and 6 - 19th/20th May 2007, Valencia - Race
Müller and Priaulx on the podium in Spain - BMW leads the championship.

Valencia (Spain), 20th May 2007. Jörg Müller (GER) and Andy Priaulx (GBR) secured podium places in the sixth round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. At Valencia's "Circuit de la Comunitat" Müller claimed second place for BMW Team Germany behind race winner James Thompson (GBR/Alfa Romeo). BMW Team UK's Priaulx finished third at the 4.005-kilometer circuit. In the morning's race, Priaulx had been the best-placed BMW national team driver, crossing the line in fifth position.

Müller has regained the lead in the Drivers' Championship from his team-mate Augusto Farfus (BRA), who lost his chances for points at the very start of the turbulent first race. Müller now has got 31 points under his belt. Reigning world champion Priaulx is ranked second and on equal points with his brand-mate. Farfus follows in third place, still having 28 points to his tally. In the manufacturers' classification, BMW keep the lead and now hold 81 points.

The first sprint race of the day started with a massive accident, which kicked six drivers out of the competition, among them both drivers of BMW Team Italy-Spain. For the third time this season, the drivers performed a "rolling" start. However, this starting procedure once again made for plenty of collisions and retirements in the middle of the pack. Félix Porteiro (ESP) was pushed by SEAT's Gabriele Tarquini (ITA) and lost control of his BMW 320si WTCC. Of all drivers it was his team-mate Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) who got hit by the local hero with an impact of 8.7g. Before this incident, Zanardi had improved from 18th to seventh place. Both drivers were forced to retire as their cars suffered heavy damage. Only Porteiro's BMW was ready again to race in the afternoon.

Farfus' plans for another points finish from his seventh grid position did not work out either. First, he was hit by Michel Jourdain (MEX/SEAT), spun and dropped back to 18th place. On lap 13, he had to retire from the race, after colliding with Tom Coronel (NLD/SEAT) while fighting for a top-10 position. Müller, however, started a successful chase through the field from 14th position on the grid. On lap 4, at the end of a safety car phase which had been caused by the first-corner incident, the experienced driver already held 11th place. Over the course of the race, he gained three more positions and secured eighth place in the final classification. Priaulx experienced a less spectacular race. Although he had lost two positions at the start, he was satisfied with defending fifth place until the end of the race, thus scoring four valuable world championship points.

Race two kicked off with a little less action than the first race. Müller lost the lead briefly to BMW private driver Luca Rangoni (ITA) of Proteam Motorsport, but regained it in turn 2. Priaulx made a good start from P4 and got by Jourdain. On lap 4, the Guernsey-born driver also overtook Rangoni, now running in the runner-up position behind Müller.

Farfus and Porteiro relentlessly fought their way up from the back of the field and between them made many overtaking maneuvers. From 18th place on the grid, Farfus took the chequered flag in tenth position. Porteiro remained unlucky during his home event: He was racing in 15th position, when BMW privateer Stefano d'Aste (ITA) hit him, causing a spin. After 13 laps Porteiro finished 19th.

At the top of the field, Müller and Priaulx fought an exciting duel. Priaulx put the leader under pressure, who fended off all attacks in style. Only Thompson was faster than the two BMW works drivers. With a light car without any ballast, he passed Priaulx on lap seven and finally stole the lead from Müller a lap later. The threesome crossed the line in this order.
Rangoni once again won the Independents' Trophy in both rounds and celebrated two seventh places in the overall classification. In race two, his team-mate Sergio Hernández (ESP) scored a championship point as well by finishing eighth.

Reactions:

Jörg Müller (BMW Team Germany):
"In the first race, I clearly benefited from avoiding an accident in the first corner. Later I passed Corthals, Coronel and d'Aste, thus gaining eighth place and one point. Last year, I was only one point behind in the world championship, so it can be valuable towards the end of the season. The second race was tough. It was difficult to keep Andy behind me. However, if you use all your three mirrors in your car it works. I'm now leading the championship again. But that doesn't make any difference to me."

Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
"I'm really happy with this race weekend. In race one I was the best-placed driver with so much handicap weight and managed to score points. That was exactly what I had planned. In turn 1, I played it safe. And this was the right decision, as we all have seen what happened behind me. The fight with Jörg was good fun. I waited for a mistake, but it didn't happen. It was a fair duel. This weekend, our team has again proved that it is able to turn the tables. We are on the right track and have responded very well to the difficulties we experienced at the beginning of the year. I'm picking up momentum in the championship."

Stats and results Valencia:
Circuit / Date: Circuit de la Comunitat / 20th May 2007
Lap / Race distance: 4.005 km/52.07 km (13 laps)
Pole position 2007: James Thompson (Alfa Romeo, 1:43.954 minutes)
Winners 2007:
Race 1: James Thompson (Alfa Romeo)
Race 2: James Thompson (Alfa Romeo)
Fastest lap 2007:
Race 1: James Thompson (Alfa Romeo, 1:44.260 minutes)
Race 2: Robert Huff (Chevrolet, 1:45.902 minutes)

Drivers' Championship:
1st Müller (31 points), 2nd Priaulx (31), 3rd Farfus (28), 4th Larini (25), 5th Tarquini (21), 6th Thompson (20), 7th Muller (17), 8th Rangoni (15).

Manufacturers' Championship:
1st BMW (81), 2nd SEAT (62), 3rd Chevrolet (50), 4th Alfa Romeo (34).

Race Calendar:
11th March - Curitiba (BRA), 6th May - Zandvoort (NLD), 20th May - Valencia (ESP), 3rd June - Pau (FRA), 17th June - Brno (CZE), 8th July - Porto (POR), 29th July - Anderstorp (SWE), 26th August - Oschersleben (GER), 23rd September - Brands Hatch (GBR), 7th October - Monza (ITA), 18th November - Macau (CHN).

Alonso out to put Boy Wonder in his place

Reigning double Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso re-asserted his dominance during free practice for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, ending both sessions comfortably atop the timesheets.

Indeed, the Spaniard was a massive six tenths of a second clear of anyone else in the morning, and while his rivals would later close that gap he remains in confident mood, and optimistic he can repeat his dream victory in the event of a year ago.

Alonso currently sits second in the drivers' standings heading into the weekend, two points adrift of rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton and eager to turn the tables on the young Brit.

BMW Boys were the busiest on Thursday

The BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers were the busiest of all in the first two practice sessions for the Monaco Grand Prix as between them Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld covered 150 laps. The focus was on the tire choice for the most prestigious F1 race on the calendar.

"It was quite a good day as we did a lot of testing," said Kubica. "We concentrated mainly on the long runs to how the tires were behaving, because this morning we had quite a lot of graining. We changed the set-up of the car to improve it and, in fact, in the afternoon we put the new set of tires on early just to run them in the end on long runs. We have to work a bit on the set-up and chose the best compromise. Now we are waiting for Saturday for the weather as some forecast predict rain. "

Nick Heidfeld commented, "My lap times don't look good, but it isn't that bad. I had problems with the fuel pressure and, of course, when the engine cuts out it costs time. Apart from this both sessions went well, and in the morning the track had a surprisingly high amount of grip. Today we have tested both tire compounds properly. For the race it is not only important to get a good grid position, especially because overtaking is so difficult, but also the right strategy is extremely important. Another factor for the strategy is the new safety car rule. There is a higher probability of the safety car coming out here than elsewhere."

Technical director Willy Rampf added, "Overall we are very pleased with the day. This relates to the set-up of the cars as well as the race preparation. Monaco is always a special challenge. Not only is its layout unique, but it has also a special surface that changes a lot during the sessions and makes it difficult to find the right direction for setting up the cars. Nick's car suffered a fuel pressure problem which affected his lap times, but we will solve it before tomorrow. For me it's positive to see the parts which we developed specifically for this race obviously work well."

Hamilton unhurt in Monaco crash

Lewis Hamilton escaped uninjured after crashing his McLaren during practice for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

The 22-year-old Briton smashed into a tire barrier in the afternoon session, the starter-motor on his car having failed in the morning.

Reigning world champion Fernando Alonso blew away the field in both sessions.

His McLaren was six tenths of a second clear of Hamilton in the morning and three tenths ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in the afternoon.    

Championship leader Hamilton completed just 14 laps in the morning and was forced to watch the second half of the session from the pit wall.

To compound matters, a piece of the starter-motor broke off and flew into the gearbox, which led to mechanics removing the floor of the McLaren to make repairs.

Hamilton was back on the track in the afternoon only to run into trouble 56 minutes in.

Emerging out of the start/finish straight, his attempt to turn the car through Sainte Devote and up the hill ended with him smashing into the tire barrier.

He was quickly out of his car and clearly unharmed, if a little shaken, and was later seen waving to fans as he made his way back down the pit lane.

Sainte Devote also caught out Britain's Anthony Davidson as he spun in his Super Aguri and nudged the tire wall prior to Hamilton's shunt.

Although his incident lacked the impact of Hamilton's, it was enough to bring his session to an end, resulting in 19th place for the 28-year-old.

David Coulthard recovered from a spin through Loews hairpin that led to his Red Bull Racing car requiring a new rear wing to take 10th place.

Alonso, who trails Hamilton in the championship standings by two points, clocked a time of one minute 15.940 seconds for the 3.340km track.

Hamilton had to settle for third in the afternoon, completing only 19 laps in the second stint, and just 33 overall for the day - in contrast to many of his rivals who topped 60 plus.

 

---

Monaco Grand Prix, second practice:
1. Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes 1min 15.940sec
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:16.215
3. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.296
4. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:16.354
5. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:16.753
6. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:16.784
7. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:16.848
8. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1:16.852
9. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1:17.292
10. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 1:17.414
11. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Honda 1:17.449
12. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:17.457
13. Takuma Sato (Jap) Super Aguri F1 Team 1:17.459
14. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:17.486
15. Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams-Toyota 1:17.516
16. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso 1:17.898
17. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 1:18.086
18. Scott Speed (US) Toro Rosso 1:18.233
19. Anthony Davidson (GB) Super Aguri F1 Team 1:18.328
20. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:18.662
21. Christijan Albers (Ned) Spyker MF1 1:18.820
22. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Spyker MF1 1:19.358

Happy Hump Day

BMW Sauber F1 Team Testing

BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM - TEST IN PAUL RICARD - DAY 4

Weather conditions: Sunny, partly cloudy, all day dry
Temperatures: Air: 20-24°C, Track: 22-42°C

Number of cars participating: 11

Fastest lap overall (track version: 5.255 km): 1:28.624 min, Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.07-05 / BMW P86/7 V8
Test kilometres today: 620 km (118 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:29.978 min (on lap 103)

Program:
It was a positive day for the team. The conditions were very good, and Nick Heidfeld was able to cover 620 kilometres. He started the day working on the set-up to suit his driving style. A major part of his program was the comparison of the two tire compounds that will be used for the next two races. In addition, Nick practiced some starts and evaluated different aerodynamic configurations.

Overall, the BMW Sauber F1 Team enjoyed a successful four day test and was happy with the reliability of the car. The new development parts revealed promising results. The team was able to collect a lot of data and feels well prepared for the forthcoming Grands Prix.

What comes next:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team will be testing again from June 19 to 21 in Silverstone.

Hamilton will set 'new standards'

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton will create the new benchmark for Formula One.

The 22-year-old McLaren rookie became the youngest driver to lead the overall standings after his fourth podium finish of the season in Spain.

I think he is going to rewrite the book. We'll see a new generation of properly prepared professional racing drivers. I don't think there is one who is that.

Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher became that. Schumacher could have been even better - not in terms of the driving but the total package.

Niki Lauda and James Hunt changed the culture of racing drivers, but they were not role models.

They said nothing, didn't give a damn. Lewis Hamilton can become the role model.

Hamilton is the only driver in the history of the world championship to finish his first four Grands Prix on the podium.

He has also beaten double world champion and team-mate Fernando Alonso in his last two races.

Despite not having won, he leads Alonso by two points with the Monaco Grand Prix next up at the end of the month.

Hamilton is the first black driver to compete in Formula One and his apparent personality maybe a key strength.

The way Kimi Raikkonen, an early favorite for the title after replacing Schumacher at Ferrari, lives his life is contrary to allowing him to put together the complete package.

That is why Hamilton has the opportunity to be dominant over time and Raikkonen doesn't, unless something substantial changes.

Reliability...? Ferrari concerned

Ferrari boss Jean Todt fears lack of reliability may undermine his team's dual title challenge this year.

Felipe Massa gave Ferrari their third win from four races in Spain on Sunday, but McLaren lead both the drivers' and constructors' championships.

Massa had gearbox and engine problems in Australia and Kimi Raikkonen retired in Spain with an electrical fault.

"Reliability is one of the ingredients for winning the championship and twice it has been missing," said Todt.

"Pole, victory and fastest lap for the second consecutive race weekend - Felipe put in a flawless performance.

"He was really great in a great Ferrari car. In the second part of the race, he drove impeccably to control the situation and bring home a wonderful win.

"But we had Kimi's retirement because of a problem in the wiring to the alternator.

"So despite three wins and four pole positions, we are back to a following role in both classifications because of the competitiveness of our main rivals.

"Right now this season is very hard to predict. There is still a long way to go and much work to do to reach the objectives we have set ourselves. But we know what is required."

Lewis Hamilton leads the drivers' standings with 30 points - two more than team-mate Fernando Alonso, three more than Massa and eight more than Raikkonen - while McLaren have a nine-point cushion over Ferrari in the constructors' standings.

The finishing record of the two teams is the reverse of the last few seasons, in which Ferrari became renowned for setting new standards in reliability and McLaren were unable to match them.

Poor McLaren reliability in 2005 blunted Raikkonen's hopes of overhauling Renault's Fernando Alonso in the title race.

The Finn left McLaren to join Ferrari this year partly because he had become frustrated by his former team's inability to make their cars reliable.

And Massa expressed his worries when he said: "If you only finish the race with one car then it's a concern.

"We need to make everything right if we are to finish the race with both cars.

"It's important both cars are consistent in the championship, so we need to keep improving because both McLarens are finishing every race."

 

Alonso plays down Hamilton threat

Fernando Alonso says he is more worried by Ferrari's pace than the form of McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Four races into the season the Briton is top of the standings on 30 points, two ahead of world champion Alonso.

"I look at him like I look at Felipe Massa or Kimi Raikkonen, I must beat them all to be champion," he said.

"But he worries me least as he's my team-mate and we're here to help each other. I worry more about the pace of Ferrari than if he's two points ahead."

Alonso's quite nationalistic so being beaten in Barcelona will hurt more than he lets on - I'm sure. ss

Hamilton's second-place finish behind Ferrari driver Massa in the Spanish Grand Prix saw the 22-year-old become Formula One's youngest-ever championship leader.

 

It was Hamilton's fourth podium finish in as many races, and also the first time since March 2005, when he was at Renault, that Alonso has trailed a team-mate in the standings.

Design chief Pat Symonds worked with Alonso at Renault and said the situation may be getting to the world champion more than he liked to admit.

"The thing he really hates is being beaten by his team-mate, and when it happened with us he could be come irrational - I suspect that will be the same again," he said.

"He's also quite nationalistic so being beaten in Barcelona will hurt that little bit more."

The next race on the calendar is Monaco, where Hamilton has raced three times in Formula Three and GP2, winning each time.

And McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said he felt both his team's drivers would be serious contenders for victory this time.

"I think Lewis has been gearing himself, as he tucks himself into bed at night, to the idea of winning in Monaco," he said.

"But the truth is that both of our guys are very quick there. I think they both fancy their chances and the car will suit there as well."

 

Britain's James Rossiter has joined the Super Aguri Formula One team as test driver.

The 23-year-old, part of Honda Racing's Young Driver Programme for two years, had been testing for Super Aguri's sister team Honda until February.

Rossiter will now join up with his new employers at this week's test at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

Ecclestone cool on Imola return

The San Marino Grand Prix at Italy's Imola circuit is unlikely to return to the calendar next season, according to Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.

Ecclestone said new races in Singapore and Valencia would be the only additions to the calendar for 2008.

And asked if the popular Imola event would be back, he shook his head and said: "I don't think so."

The race was dropped for 2007 because of sub-standard facilities but the owners are updating the track.

He also refused to confirm France, rumoured to be the next European venue to make way for new races, would remain, stating: "Let's see."

Ecclestone said he did not know how many races would be on the calendar next season.

They had no trouble at Monaco so I don't see why they should have any at other street circuits...

But he said team bosses who have argued that 20 is the absolute maximum "are probably right".

He added: "We'll have to see how it all pans out. We have to see how many we really can sustain where everybody is happy, and then we'll have a look from there."

Ecclestone shrugged off fears over safety at the new street circuits in Valencia and Singapore.

Singapore is planned as a night race but will be held during the day if the track cannot be lit safely. Valencia is also set to host a race in 2008.

"There's another street track we've been racing on for quite a few years - Monaco I think it's called," Ecclestone said.

"We've had no trouble there so I don't see why we should have any at these other street circuits.

"But of course there won't be a race unless it is safe."

Ferrari's Felipe Massa Wins Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has taken the outright  championship lead just four races into his Formula One career by finishing second in the Spanish Grand Prix.

But the McLaren driver could do nothing about Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who dominated at the Circuit de Catalunya to take his second win in succession.

Hamilton kept team-mate Fernando Alonso behind him to go two points clear of the world champion in the title chase.

The Spaniard survived an off-track moment on lap one to take third place.

Alonso's hopes of winning his home race were over almost before it began when he made an ambitous attempt to overtake Massa around the outside of the first corner.

After a good start from second place on the grid, the McLaren was marginally in front as they went into the turn but not far enough to claim the lead and the two cars touched, pitching Alonso sideways into the gravel trap.

"I thought I was very much in front of him in the first corner - and he didn't think so - and we touched each other," Alonso said.

"It was dangerous. We were very lucky because 99% of the time in incidents like that you would finish the race in the first corner."

Massa countered: "I was inside, so I don't understand his point.

"As long as I am inside, I will stay there. I won't move. If anybody was aggressive, it was Fernando, not me.

"If I am wrong, then I am the first to say I have made a mistake.

"But this time don't tell me I've made a mistake. Come on, this is racing, Formula One, the first corner.

"The first corner is important. You don't want to lose like I did in Malaysia. I wanted to stay there.

"There was contact. He tried to push me inside - it was only small contact - but fortunately nothing happened with the car."

Alonso lost only two places as he rejoined the track, slotting into fourth place behind Hamilton and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, who was passed by the Englishman on the run down to the third corner.

But one of the aerodynamic deflectors on the world champion's car had been damaged, which will have affected his pace for the rest of the race.

Alonso moved up to third when Raikkonen retired with a rare Ferrari failure on lap 10, but he could not close on Hamilton, who was equally helpless in the face of the charging Massa.

The Brazilian edged steadily ahead in the lead and was nearly 10 seconds clear by the time he made his first pit stop on lap 19, the same time as Alonso.

Hamilton stayed out for another three laps but was no closer to the Ferrari when he rejoined the track after his own stop.

The first stops were the end of Alonso's already slim hopes of winning his home race for the second year in a row.

McLaren fitted the harder of the two tyre options to his car for his middle stint, while everyone else stayed on the softer tyres and saved the harder ones until the final push.

The plan was presumably for Alonso to limit the damage in the middle of the race and make a charge in the closing laps.

But he slipped back to more than 10 seconds behind Hamilton in the first few laps after the stops as the tyres took their time to come up to speed.

Alonso continued to lose ground to his team-mate throughout the second stint and was more than 16 seconds adrift by the time Hamilton made his second stop on lap 47.

Alonso followed him in a lap later and began to close on Hamilton after they rejoined, but in the final 10 laps the gap stabilised.

The eight points for second place put Hamilton two points clear of Alonso at the head of the drivers' championship, with Massa a further point behind.

"I keep saying I'm living my dream, and it's really true," Hamilton said.

"I've been working so hard for this and to come out of my fourth Grand Prix leading the world championship when I'm driving against two of the best drivers in the world is incredible."

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica was fourth after a strong, steady race, with David Coulthard fifth following an impressive race in the much-improved Red Bull-Renault.

The Scot lost a gear in the closing stages and had to fight hard to hold off Nico Rosberg's Williams-Toyota.

Renault's Heikki Kovalainen, who was hampered by having to make an extra pit stop because of a faulty fuel rig, finished seventh.

Kovalainen's team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, similarly hampered, lost the final points place to Super Aguri's Takuma Sato when he had to make a final splash-and-dash pit stop with seven laps to go.

 

---

Spanish Grand Prix result:

1. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari one hour 31 minutes 36.230 seconds
2. Lewis Hamilton (GB) (McLaren-Mercedes) at 6.790sec
3. Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes at 17.456
4. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 31.615
5. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 58.331
6. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 59.538
7. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 1:02.128
8. Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda) one lap behind
9. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1 lap
10. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1 lap
      11. Anthony Davidson (GB) Super Aguri-Honda 1 lap
12. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1 lap
13. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Spyker-Ferrari 2 laps
14. Christijan Albers (Ned) Spyker-Ferrari)  2 laps
R Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 50 laps completed
R Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 48 laps
R Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 18 laps
R Scott Speed (USA) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 11 laps
R Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 10 laps
R Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 9 laps
R Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 8 laps
R Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams-Toyota 0 laps

Fastest lap: Massa, one minute 22.680 seconds, lap 14.

Key: R = retired

Umami walking the grid

Alonso sets pace

Fernando Alonso underlined how much he wants to win his home Spanish Grand Prix with the fastest time in practice.

The world champion bounced back after being beaten by team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Friday's first session to dominate practice in the afternoon.

Alonso set a best lap of one minute 21.397 seconds to beat Hamilton, who was fifth, by 0.791secs.

The Renaults of Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen were second and third, ahead of Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Hamilton improved by only 0.1secs over his morning time, while Alonso found nearly 0.9secs.

In the morning session, Alonso, who was outpaced by his rookie team-mate at the last race in Bahrain, set the early pace in 1:22.449, with Hamilton just behind.

Both drivers improved their times on their second series of laps, but this time Hamilton was just over 0.1secs faster than the world champion.

The 22-year-old improved his time again, by nearly 0.3secs on his third run, whereas Alonso did not go any faster, but the Spaniard was still clear of the Ferraris.

By the end of the afternoon Hamilton was sandwiched between the two Ferraris, with Kimi Raikkonen in sixth place, suggesting another close battle between F1's two dominant teams.

The pace of the Renaults appears not to be indicative of a major step forward after their disappointing start to the season, according to Fisichella.

"My feeling is that we are possibly a little bit closer to the cars in front of us," the Italian said, "even if we are clearly not fast enough to be second in the times on speed alone."

Kovalainen added: "The target has to be to qualify in the top 10 but, just like at the last three races, it is going to be tough."

Jenson Button continued to struggle in the Honda, managing only the 13th fastest time in the afternoon, just ahead of team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Button was 10th fastest in the morning, when he was nearly half a second down on Anthony Davidson's Super Aguri, which is effectively Honda's 2006 car.

Button said: "We have made some small steps with the stability of the car since the last race but the outright pace has not yet improved a lot."

Davidson dropped to 20th in the second session.

 

---

Times from first practice at the Spanish Grand Prix:

1. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes one minute 21.880 seconds
2. Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.268
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:22.291
4. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:22.446
5. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:22.565
6. Anthony Davidson (GB) Super Aguri-Honda 1:22.665
7. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:22.740
8. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:22.843
9. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1:23.048
10. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:23.114
11. Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams-Toyota 1:23.131
12. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:23.170
13. Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda 1:23.316
14. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 1:23.322
15. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:23.397
16. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 1:23.428
17. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:23.444
18. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:23.479
19. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Spyker-Ferrari 1:23.954
20. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:24.104
21. Scott Speed (USA) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:24.179
22. Christijan Albers (Ned) Spyker-Ferrari 1:24.396

Times from the second practice session:

1. Alonso 1:21.397
   2. Fisichella 1:21.684
   3. Kovalainen 1:21.966
   4. Massa 1:22.048
   5. Hamilton 1:22.188
   6. Raikkonen 1:22.251
   7. Rosberg 1:22.415
   8. Heidfeld 1:22.543
   9. Webber 1:22.589
   10. Speed 1:22.617
   11. Kubica 1:22.710
   12. Coulthard 1:22.719
   13. Button 1:22.808
   14. Barrichello 1:22.926
   15. Wurz 1:22.950
   16. Liuzzi 1:23.143
   17. Schumacher 1:23.219
   18. Jarno Trulli, Italy, Toyota, 1:23.307
   19. Sato 1:23.493
   20. Davidson 1:23.497
   21. Sutil 1:23.609
   22. Albers 1:23.736

F1 Night Race? - Singapore to stage night race

Singapore will stage a Formula One Grand Prix next year, with the race set to be the first in the sport's history to be held at night.

It will be on a street circuit around the Marina Bay district, and is planned for September or early October.

"Singapore is going to be the leader with the street race at night - we're excited about the idea," said F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

But Singapore's government says safety concerns will have to be resolved.

"Safety is of paramount concern to all of us," said Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran.

"Therefore, we will proceed with a night race only if the safety and operational requirements of all parties are fully met - if not, we will revert to a day race.

"(But) a night race will be unique and allow the Singapore event to reach out to television audiences in Asia, Europe and the US."

Singapore will stage the race for five years, with Ecclestone keeping the option to extend the deal for a further five years until 2017.

Ecclestone wants to expand the F1 calendar from 17 to 20 races per season, and the addition of Singapore is the second new race in two days after Valencia joined the circuit on Thursday.

"I am very pleased to welcome Singapore to the F1 family and we look forward to this exotic addition to the championship," said Ecclestone.

 

"This will be the first fully-lit street race in F1 and as a night race, we anticipate it will quickly establish itself as one of the most dramatic and atmospheric races in our calendar.

"I know that the F1 drivers, teams and fans are all looking forward to coming to Singapore next year."

Singapore's government anticipates tourist revenues of around £33m from the event, and says it will cover 60% of the estimated cost.

"Singapore is a leading business centre and our aim is to be a vibrant global city that is abuzz with high quality entertainment and events," added Iswaran.

"A world class event like the F1 race, with more than 500 million viewers worldwide, will take us closer to this objective.

"By holding the race on a street circuit in Marina Centre, we will bring the buzz and excitement into the heart of the city, so that everyone can join in the festivities."           

Schumacher to attend Spanish GP

Michael Schumacher will this weekend attend a Grand Prix for the first time since his retirement last year.

The German is expected to be at the Spanish Grand Prix in his role as advisor to Ferrari, with whom he won five of his seven world titles.

He is scheduled to arrive on Friday at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

"I'm very happy about it, and he will surely be able to give us an extra boost and enthusiasm," said Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

Since his retirement Schumacher has enjoyed being able to spend time with his family, but says he has watched all the races on television as a fan.

He has also spent some time promoting road safety with motorsport's governing body, the FIA, and last week joined the Emirates Team New Zealand yacht in Valencia, where the qualifying stages for the America's Cup are being held.

Massa said he was keen to demonstrate to Schumacher, who was his team-mate last year, how much he has improved as a driver thanks to his help.

"Personally, I owe Michael a lot. In the year we were together he taught me many things," the Brazilian said.

"I've improved also thanks to him and I'll do my best to show him that."

Massa, who won the last race in Bahrain last month, is fourth in the drivers' standings after three races, five points behind his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

"The world title is my objective, and I think I have the car to win it," Massa told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The reason they [Raikkonen, Alonso and Hamilton] are a bit ahead now is down to technical problems we had in the first race in Melbourne, and to a couple of mistakes in the second GP in Malaysia.

"But I think I've sorted the situation fairly well with victory in Bahrain."

Second crash at Catalunya

The Circuit de Catalunya, which hosts the Spanish Grand Prix later this month, saw its second high-speed crash in a week on Wednesday.

Williams called an end to their Barcelona test a day early after Nico Rosberg wrecked his car at turn seven.

The German was unhurt but was taken to hospital as a precaution before being allowed to go home.

On Monday, the team's test driver Kazuki Nakajima hit the tire barriers,  damaging the right side of the car.

Williams were forced to fly out more parts to repair the Japanese driver's car.

Rosberg's crash happened early in the day when the track was still damp from heavy rain on Tuesday.

    "Nico went off on his first run and had a crash that resulted in heavy chassis damage," said Williams' technical director Sam Michael.

    "Nico's fine. However, the damage cannot be repaired at the circuit so the test team is now returning to the factory."

The Spanish Grand Prix takes place on 13 May.

Are F1 races still boring?

I think changes brought in to make Formula One more of a spectacle have not worked.

Normally it's boring. The changes have done nothing for the show.

I would like to see - maybe - two shorter races on a Sunday with the grid format changed to encourage overtaking.

Maybe a one hour 30 minute race is too long because the last 30 minutes - 90% of the time - is really boring.

Every time there's excitement it's because something's happened - it's heavy rain or there's some accident or stuff like that. Or all the exciting racing is happening in the back of the race - fighting for tenth spot...

I still don't understand why they don't try to make more excitement in every race.

People want to see people overtaking and fighting

How about - one early in the morning and one later in the afternoon.

Maybe one race of 45 minutes and one race of one hour with a reverse grid in the second race like we do in GP2.

People want to see people overtaking and fighting and if you put the quick drivers behind, the quick drivers will start overtaking, for sure - that makes for a great race.

If not, the two cars quickest in qualifying are the two cars quickest in the race and win the race easily.

F1 chiefs have brought in a succession of changes over the past couple of seasons in the hope of making the sport more interesting.

They have included turning the qualifying session into a three-round knockout format.

But the 10 drivers who get through the first two stages must start the race with whatever fuel they had at the beginning of the final session, meaning drivers spend the first part of the final session burning off fuel before setting quick laps at the end.

I'd have qualifying on Saturday maybe in a different way because nobody understands this (fuel) burning issue... do you?

And what ever happened with removing the radios from the cars and driver... this would put the driver back in charge on the track - like it should - Isn't that what racing is - the driver and the car make the decision on the track?