No gloating from Ferrari's team boss

Monday 8th September 2008

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali refused to crow about a Belgian Grand Prix victory handed to his team in the stewards' room.

McLaren driver Hamilton had taken the chequered flag at the end of a frenzied race in Spa, only to be handed a retrospective 25second drive-through penalty which demoted him to third.

The stewards felt Hamilton had gained an advantage in cutting the final chicane at the end of lap 42 of the 44-lap race, even though he swiftly handed the lead back to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

A dicey penultimate lap in wet conditions saw the lead change hands three more times before Raikkonen eventually spun into a wall, allowing Hamilton to take the win.

But the stewards opted to hit Hamilton hard, with the time penalty giving Felipe Massa the win, slashing what would have been an eight-point lead for Hamilton in the Drivers' standings to two over the Brazilian.

Domenicali, though, knew he was in no position to gloat.

"I have often said the race is not over until the official results are published, and that was the case," said Domenicali.

"As usual, Ferrari will not comment on the stewards' decision.

"After the race we were called to the stewards and we explained our position.

"We are very disappointed for Kimi, who had driven a great race and deserved the win, especially at this rather difficult time.

"But this result is obviously very important for our Championship hopes.

"Now we must maintain maximum concentration and prepare as well as possible for the forthcoming races, starting at Monza where we will be racing in front of our home fans.

"We will also need their support at such a delicate point in the season."

Massa was not allowed to comment on his fifth win of the season, instead simply describing the race as "very strange".

Your Comments

Speedster

"Kimi should take Hamilton out together in that corner. That's really help Massa in the Championship:)"

skidmarks

"Congrats to Ferrari for another empty victory! I wonder how much satisfaction they have gotten from all the dole outs they have gotten from their friends at the FIA..."

ynot808

"All you guys are seriously retarded. Claiming conspracies here and there. How about asking yourselves if Hamilton gained an advantage into that corner by cutting the chicane?????? He obviously didn't give that advantage back to Raikkonen or else Kimi would've been able to take the inside line, which he tried to do but Lewis was already there. Kimi was stuck off line in the wet because Hammy came out of nowhere and back onto the proper racing line which isn't exactly giving back that advantage which he just robbed Kimi of!!!"

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