2007 F1 Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps)

[CVT]

I know that we are all waiting for the decision of the FIA regarding the McLaren-Ferrari Scandal, which has overshadowed this important Grand Prix.

However, I would like to remind our fellow F1 enthusiasts that we are facing another race weekend:

14th Sept - Friday - 4PM, 8PM - Practice
15th Sept Saturday - 5PM - Practice
Saturday - 8PM - Qualifying
16th Sept Sunday - 8PM - Race Day

If not available on Star Sports/ ESPN cable channels, then try your P2P....

3808:fish:

[dxx_ddf]

Mclaren hit by Constructors' ban! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/6991147.stm

McLaren hit by constructors' ban

Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Fernando Alonso keep their points
McLaren have been stripped of their points in the 2007 Formula One constructors' championship after the outcome of the 'spygate' row.
The team was also fined a record $100m (£49.2m), which includes any prize and television money they would have earned from the constructors' championship.

But drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso can keep their points.

The team must also prove there is no Ferrari 'intellectual property' in their cars next year before racing.

The decision means Ferrari, who are currently second in the constructors' championship, 57 points ahead of third-placed BMW Sauber are almost certain to be crowned champions.

When he left the hearing, FIA president Max Mosley was asked if justice had been done, and replied "Yes."

what a sad day for Mclaren! tsk.. tsk..

[CVT]

OT: I think everyone who came out of that building have some degree of satisfaction... That's justice for these guys.....

Now, on with the Belgian Grand Prix with LH leading the driver's pack, and FA, KR and FM in hot pursuit.......

3808:fish:

[CVT]

Mclaren hit by Constructors' ban! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/6991147.stm



what a sad day for Mclaren! tsk.. tsk..

OT: Isa pang hirit....

From: http://www.bradenton.com

McLaren escaped the harshest possible penalty, as FIA could have kicked the team and its drivers out of the 2007 and 2008 championships. In December, FIA will decide on any possible sanctions against McLaren for the 2008 season.

FIA said it did not penalize McLaren's drivers "due to exceptional circumstances" because they provided evidence in exchange for immunity.

3808:fish:

[hubertq34]

OMG! $100M... how will LH & FA race if they dont have a car? or they can use their cars but no points for mclaren if just in case they won again.

[niky]

I don't think Ron Dennis will stop supporting his drivers... it will probably give him satisfaction to see his cars win races even if he doesn't get any points for it, officially.

It's a sad day for McLaren. Now that they're really back in form, this just had to happen. I bet Ron wishes he'd never heard the name "Stepney", now...

[mazdamazda]

ehem... guys... :offtopic: na kayo.

here's the mclarengate thread: http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42151

[CVT]

from:http://www.itv-f1.com

Ferrari expecting to fight back at Spa

Ferrari is confident it will be back in the hunt for race victory in Belgium this weekend following its defeat on home soil to title rival McLaren.

The Italian squad’s title hopes were dealt a major blow by the British team’s 1-2 finish at Monza and, pending the outcome of Thursday’s World Motor Sport Council hearing, now faces an uphill challenge to win either world crown.

But the Scuderia is at least confident that Formula 1’s return to Spa-Francorchamps will coincide with an upturn in its own form, with the team’s chief designer Nikolas Tombazis expecting the circuit’s series of sweeping high-speed corners to bring out the best in the F2007.

"Generally speaking, Spa is the type of circuit where the performance difference between the cars gets amplified,” Tombazis said.

“Compared to the circuits where we have been quite strong, Spa has actually got a lower level of downforce, so cars have higher top speeds with less downforce.

“But nonetheless, in common with the tracks that appear to have suited us, Spa also has some very high speed corners, which do stress the tyres quite a lot and that, for us is a positive aspect.

“Furthermore, with long straights there is also a high emphasis on engine power here.

“I think all in all, I am hopeful we can be quite competitive here with the F2007."

The two title rivals were closely matched when they tested at the revamped venue in July, with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton narrowly edging out Ferrari’s Felipe Massa to set the week’s fastest time.

Tombazis’s confidence in the weekend ahead is strengthened by Ferrari’s testing form, although he points out that both teams have since further developed their respective challengers.

“I am reasonably optimistic that it will suit the strong points of our car," he said.

"We were looking not too bad when we had our first ever Spa test session back in July.

“However, the cars have evolved since then and therefore it's difficult to know exactly which of two teams - ourselves and our nearest rivals - has made the most progress since then.

“But I am reasonably optimistic."

Well, McLaren and Ferrari are 'evenly-matched' here in Spa-Francorchamps...

It looks like it will be another exciting race weekend for all of us.....

3808:fish:

[BoyFerrari]

This is my most favorite race circuit in the calendar. SPA!!!!

I'm more than happy that it's about to be played this weekend. It's been a long wait!!!

The last time Formula One was here at SPA, this was what happened:









Ahhhh! The memories ......

[mayana]

OT: Ron Dennis has dismissed the possibility that the record 100-million-dollar fine imposed on his team by the International Motoring Federation (FIA) for spying on the Ferrari team will cripple them financially. The fine, part of the punishment for McLaren’s role in the ‘Spygate’ drama, will be partially offset by the prize money the team has won so far this season, thought to be around the 50 million dollar mark.

Nick Heidfeld sits in the pits of the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, during the second practice session of the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix.
German Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher
View of the McLaren-Mercedes motorhome
Lewis Hamilton drives in front of his teammate, Fernando Alonso

[jeff1101]

Well the inclusion of spa next year (for the 2008 GP) is still up in the air with Singapore and India all vying for the venue seat so this could potentially be the last time Francorchamps will be included in the F1 calendar. Ahhh shame...

Anyways LH hamilton set the fastest time in practice today, (all the good that'll do for Mclaren)...

[mayana]

Just wanna share some more pix...

[mayana]

...and some more

that's Jenson, Kimi interviewed by the media, si poging Lewis , and Japanese Takuma Sato.

[CVT]

This is my most favorite race circuit in the calendar. SPA!!!!

I'm more than happy that it's about to be played this weekend. It's been a long wait!!!

The last time Formula One was here at SPA, this was what happened:

Ahhhh! The memories ......

Yes, I remember this in 2005 (one-tyre rule), the struggling MS in his Ferrari was 'inadvertently' bumped by TS in his Honda forcing retirement for both drivers. MS could not contain himself in this incident and gave TS a 'slap' on his helmet...

How I wished then that the FIA just imposed upon Ferrari to carry a 100-lb brick throughout the race, rather than the infamous one-tyre rule where driver's were not racing but rather conserving their tyres near the end of each race....

Thanks for sharing.

3808:fish:

[CVT]

Well the inclusion of spa next year (for the 2008 GP) is still up in the air with Singapore and India all vying for the venue seat so this could potentially be the last time Francorchamps will be included in the F1 calendar. Ahhh shame...

Anyways LH hamilton set the fastest time in practice today, (all the good that'll do for Mclaren)...

Yup,- it's again McLaren 1-2 and Ferrari 3-4 in the practice sessions....

3808:fish:

[Monseratto]

Final qualifying positions:

1. K Raikkonen (Ferrari)

2. F Massa (Ferrari)

3. L Hamilton (McLaren)

4. F Alonso (McLaren)

5. R Kubica (BMW)(-10 places for engine change)

6. N Rosberg (Williams)

7. N Heidfeld (BMW)

[dxx_ddf]

Sir, it should be:

1. KR
2. FM
3. FA
4. LH

[CVT]

Again,- qualifying was not televised live on our cable channel..... It's a good thing we have the internet (P2P) to see everything 'near live'.....

3808:fish:

[Monseratto]

Parang yung FIA might help Alonso get out of his contract...

FIA to monitor McLaren treatment of Alonso

Appearances aside, the effects of the espionage scandal and its fallout continue to be felt on the scene of the Belgian Grand Prix.

After disagreeing in the media on Saturday, McLaren boss Ron Dennis and FIA President Max Mosley later stood in front of the team's shining 'Brand Centre' and shook hands for the benefit of photographers.

But after headlines suggested that Mosley continues to question Dennis' integrity and honesty regarding key elements of the disclosure of the new email evidence, it now emerges that F1's governing body is going to keep a close eye on McLaren at least for the balance of the season.

Mosley praised Fernando Alonso on Saturday for his role in shedding light on the extent of knowledge of Ferrari's secrets within the team.

But the FIA President says he now fears for possible retribution against the Spaniard from within his ranks, after Alonso's evidence directly led to the record $100m fine and exclusion from the constructors' world championship.


"If they do anything wrong against Alonso, they will have to answer to us in Paris and we will do what is necessary," Mosley is quoted as saying by the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Briton said he fully supported Alonso's actions, in direct contrast with some sections of some that have accused him of maliciously attempting to blackmail his bosses.

"He was the only one on his team who did the right thing," Mosley said. "With Alonso's emails we obtained certainty (about the case)," he added.

Source GMM

[jeff1101]

Its Ferrari 1-2. With Alonso third. It was a good drive for Raikkonen although there wasnt anybody out to really challenge him for the remainder of the race. Except of course Massa in the last 3 laps until he was told to back off.

Wow that was a rather dirty push by Alonso on the first turn. He boxed out Hamilton and made him run wide in the first turn. Looks like FA is no longer even attempting to hide his contempt at you know who.

I dont think he even cares what Ron Dennis and Mclaren thinks about him anymore.