Formula 1

Doh ........Blonde moment !!

BMW Sauber will stick with drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld for 2009, ruling out the possibility of Fernando Alonso joining the team.

BMW were among the teams courting the Spanish double world champion but announced on Monday they would retain their current line up.

It leaves Alonso with the choice of staying at Renault or accepting an offer from struggling Honda.

A BMW statement said Kubica and Heidfeld was a "strong driver pairing".

"We are in no doubt that we will again achieve our ambitious aims with them in the team's fourth year," BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen said.

Austrian Christian Klien will also stay on as the team's test and reserve driver.

BMW had been considered one of the front-runners in the race to sign Alonso, and their decision to retain Heidfeld and Kubica will be the subject of much discussion at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. 606: DEBATE
Alonso may as well stay at Renault as they're improving well, and we know he really wants to get into a red car eventually

Kubica, who took his maiden Grand Prix victory in Canada in June, is regarded as a star of the future but Heidfeld is not considered in the same bracket.

Alonso, who ended a season's disappointment at Renault with victory in the Singapore Grand Prix last month, has said he will announce a decision on his future at the end of the season.

Renault had a difficult start to the year, with Alonso struggling even to get the car into the top 10 in qualifying, but have made progress in the second half of the season and are in a battle with Toyota to secure fourth place in the constructors' championship.

Ferrari and McLaren are battling for top spot, with BMW secure in third place.

There are three races remaining, with China following a week after Japan and the season closer in Brazil on 2 November (from BBC News)

Formula One has been told it needs to implement drastic cost-cutting measures by 2010 if it is to remain "credible".
FIA president Max Mosley told BBC Sport that the global credit crisis had only exacerbated problems for F1 and several teams were now in danger of quitting.
"It has become apparent, long before the current difficulties, that Formula One was unsustainable," said Mosley.
"It really is a very serious situation. If we can't get this done for 2010, we will be in serious difficulty."
Mosley said there was a very real threat that some of the smaller independent teams would be forced to withdraw from the sport because of spiralling running costs.
"At the moment we've got 20 cars," said Mosley. "If we lost two teams, we'd have 16. (If we lost) three teams (we'd have) 14. It then would cease to be a credible grid."

The days when they could just toss out the 100, 200, 400m euros a year, which is what Formula One costs those big companies, I think they are finished Max Mosley

Mosley claimed the smaller teams needed vast sums of money just for the privilege of taking on the big manufacturers like Ferrari, McLaren and BMW.
Even then, he said, some of them were struggling to make an impression at the back of the grid.
"It depends at the moment on millionaires - billionaires, we don't have millionaires now - subsidising it, people like Vijay Mallya of Kingfisher (Force India) or Dietrich Mateschitz of Red Bull (Racing)," Mosley told BBC Sport's Adam Parsons in an exclusive interview in Paris.
"Without them, those teams wouldn't be there."
But Mosley warned that even the major players were beginning to feel the financial squeeze.
"The days when they could just toss out the 100, 200, 400m euros a year, which is what Formula One costs those big companies, I think they are finished," he said.
Mosley, 69, said one of the areas where costs could be reduced was the "drive train", or the moving components of the car.
"If you can believe this, the engine and gear box together for an independent team is upwards of 30m euros a year," he said.
"That could be done for probably 5% of that cost without the person in the grandstand noticing any difference at all.
"Even those big spenders, if they are given the opportunity to save 100 or 200m euros a year will do so."
Mosley warned: "We've got various means of making sure they don't spend that money, but it does mean some draconian changes."
The FIA has given Mosley the power to negotiate directly with the Formula One Teams Association over proposed measures to cut F1 team costs in half by 2010.

The Canadian Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2009 Formula One calendar and replaced with the inaugural race in Abu Dhabi.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) issued a revised calendar with Turkey moving from August to 7 June to allow a summer break for the teams.
There will be no North American round after the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis was dropped this year.
The new 18-race season will begin on 29 March in Melbourne.


The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps has moved forward from September to 30 August, the weekend after the European Grand Prix in Valencia.
The Italian Grand Prix has switched back a week to take Belgium's original 13 September date.
2009 calendar
29 March - Australia (Melbourne)
5 April - Malaysia (Sepang)
19 April - Bahrain
10 May - Spain (Barcelona)
24 May - Monaco
7 June - Turkey (Istanbul)
21 June - Britain (Silverstone)
28 June - France (Magny-Cours)
12 July - Germany
26 July - Hungary (Budapest)
23 August - Europe (Valencia)
30 August - Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
13 September - Italy (Monza)
27 September - Singapore
11 October - Japan
18 October - China
1 November - Brazil
15 November - Abu Dhabi

(BBC News)

Ferrari will revert to a traditional pit-stop strategy at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix after their 'traffic-light' system caused problems in Singapore.
Ferrari's title contender Felipe Massa lost victory in the last race when he got a green light to exit the pits when his fuel hose was still attached.
The system usually works automatically but was on a manual setting.
"We need to stay calm so we've decided to go back to the old system," said team boss Stefano Domenicali.
The traditional system, used by all the other teams, involves a device known as a lollipop to tell the driver when to accelerate away from the pits.
A mechanic holds a pole with a circular sign on the end - giving it the shape of a lollipop - in front of the car while it is being worked on. He flips it over to show the word go and lifts it up when the stop for fuel and tyres is finished.
Ferrari have been using a light system, which uses red, amber and green lights, and which is programmed to go green as soon as the refuelling hose is detached from the car.

It may be a bit late in the day but Ferrari have finally realised that the 'traffic light' release system is not reliable

It can be switched to a manual operation if necessary - which Ferrari decided to do in Singapore because a large number of cars were pitting at the same time following a safety car.
They wanted to avoid the risk of a penalty for releasing Massa dangerously into the path of another car.
But the man operating the system pressed the go button too soon and Massa's car tore the refuelling pipe away from the rig and the Brazilian knocked over two mechanics as he pulled away.
The pipe trailed him all the way to the end of the pits, where he stopped and waited for it to be removed.
The incident relegated him to the back of the field and he finished out of the points in 13th place, while title rival Lewis Hamilton finished third in his McLaren.
The Englishman has a seven-point lead heading to Fuji this weekend, with a maximum of 30 still available in the remaining three races. (from BBC News)

I also heard today that Ferrari are now adopting the stop/go lollipop instead of trusting the computer for the next race. This comes after they drove out of the pits with the fuel rig still attached.




You beat me to it GD. LOL

Renault's Fernando Alonso took a superb victory in the Japanese Grand Prix as title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa collided in a dramatic race.
Hamilton made a poor start, ran off the road at the first corner and was tipped into a spin by Massa on lap two.
Both were given penalties for different incidents but Massa recovered to take seventh and cut Hamilton's lead to five points with two races left.
Hamilton, his car damaged by Massa, was 12th and out of the points.
Massa finished eighth on the road, but was promoted to seventh when Toro Rosso's Sebastien Bourdais was penalised 25 seconds, demoting him to 12th, for a collision with the Brazilian on lap 51.
Hamilton is still in a strong position but the Englishman will have to cut out the mistakes that have characterised his season if he is not to lose the championship for the second year in a row.
"What can I say? it was a bad day, I'll move on to next week [in China]," said Hamilton.

I cannot believe it right now and back-to-back wins is a great feeling - it is completely amazing Fernando Alonso

"I went wide at turn one, it was a mistake, and then Felipe hit me off, I went on the inside and he broke left and hit me pretty hard."
Massa is not Hamilton's only title rival. BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica is 12 points off the lead and cannot be ruled out.
"Twelve points behind the leader with two races to go - anything can happen," Kubica said.
Hamilton's problems began at the very start of the race as he got off the line slowly from pole position in his McLaren and then went too far in trying to make amends at the first corner.
He left his braking too late trying to prevent Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen taking the lead and, with smoke pouring from his locked tyres, took both of them off the track.
The move would earn Hamilton a penalty for forcing another car off the track, but it also demoted him to sixth place, right behind Massa.
The Englishman tried to pass the Ferrari into the Turn 10/11 chicane on the second lap and the two cars ended up colliding.


Massa left his braking too late trying to fend Hamilton off into the initial right-hand part of the corner.
That put him off line on the outside and, trying to retain the place, he dived over the kerbs through the left-handed part and tipped Hamilton into a spin as he rejoined the track.
Hamilton had to sit and wait for the entire field to pass before he could rejoin the race, and he immediately called into the pits for new tyres to replace the ones he had badly flat-spotted at the first corner.
Massa was given his own penalty for causing that collision, and, once they had taken their drive-through penalties, the two title rivals ended up at the back of the field - with Massa a few seconds ahead.

Massa was penalised for this - but still cut Hamilton's championship lead

The chaos among the drivers of the leading teams left Kubica in the lead but he lost it to Alonso when the Spaniard made his first pit stop a lap later than the Pole.
Alonso said he asked the team to get him out in front of Kubica but doing so meant he had four laps' less fuel than the BMW for the middle stint of the race.
The team lost no time in telling Alonso that he had to "sprint like hell" to win the race.
The double world champion did exactly that, pulling out a lead of more than 12 seconds in his 25-lap second stint.
That put him completely out of Kubica's reach, and the BMW driver was left to fend off Raikkonen.
It was one of the Spaniard's greatest races and secured him and Renault an unexpected second win in a row.
"We were second when we stopped for the first time and I wanted to exit the pits in front of Robert," Alonso said.
"So they had to put less fuel in. I had to open the gap and the car was perfect and I was able to.
"It's difficult to believe as the Singapore win was completely unexpected.
"We had special conditions there with the safety car but today we had nothing and we won again at a circuit which is not good for our [car's] characteristics.
"I cannot believe it right now and back-to-back wins is a great feeling. It is completely amazing."
Raikkonen drove a race that has become typical of him this season - he was anonymous until the final pit stops and then came alive.

The world champion rejoined from his final stop just behind Kubica but, although he pressured the BMW hard for the next few laps, the Pole was able to fend him off and eventually build a small cushion for the last few laps.
Nelson Piquet finished fourth for Renault, with Toyota's Jarno Trulli next, followed by the Toro Rossos of Bourdais and Sebastian Vettel and Massa.
Massa, the fastest man on the track in the closing stages of the race, lost ground in the incident with Bourdais but recovered to grab eighth on the road from Red Bull's Mark Webber on the penultimate lap.

Lewis Hamilton has been forced onto the defensive by the barrage of criticism levelled at him after his performance in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
The 23-year-old Briton wasted the chance to extend his championship lead over title rival Felipe Massa at Fuji with another error-strewn race.
He still leads by five points with two races left but admitted: "When you're constantly scrutinised it is difficult.
"I'm only human, and every now and then people make mistakes."
On Sunday, Hamilton lost the lead from pole position on the first corner and then received a drive-through penalty after forcing Kimi Raikkonen off the track in an attempt to regain it.
His botched efforts paved the way for critics to launch renewed attacks on his ability and character, and question whether Hamilton is again starting to crack under the weight of pressure as the title race draws to a close, as many suggest he did last year.

If I could achieve just a small part of what he's achieved it would be a dream for me Lewis Hamilton on Ayrton Senna

Hamilton also raised eyebrows when he accused title rival Massa of deliberately colliding with him on the second lap in Japan and the young Englishman admitted: "It's not easy to always say or do the right thing.
"Recently, there have been lots of different quotes attributed to me.
"Sometimes I've said things that have either come out the wrong way or been taken out of context, so people get a different feeling of what I've said when I haven't expressed myself correctly.
"Communication is so important in life and some of the things I've said were not meant to harm anyone. I don't feel like I've hurt anyone, and my family makes sure that doesn't happen."
Such a comment recently attributed to Hamilton quoted him as saying he felt he was a better driver than his hero Ayrton Senna.

606: DEBATE Hamilton just cannot erase the impression that he is doing his best to lose the 2008 Formula One world championship Andrew Benson - BBC Sport

Issuing a categorical denial, Hamilton said: "I never said that and I definitely wouldn't say it about Ayrton because he's my favourite driver.
"I think he's the best driver there ever was and, to this day, I still don't believe anyone would beat him. If I could achieve just a small part of what he's achieved, it would be a dream for me."
And the Briton also believes the perception of some that he is arrogant is wrong, saying: "I would never say I was better than anyone else, but I am a Formula One driver and all of us have to believe in ourselves to get to where we are.
"You have to have that belief to go out and win, and that's what helps you strive for a better performance and to achieve more in your life.
"I look at the other drivers, I just think all these guys are the best and to be the best I have to beat them. That's how every racing driver sees things."
Hamilton can win the championship in China on Sunday if he scores six more points than Massa. (from BBC Sport)

Next year's French Formula One Grand Prix could be cancelled after the French Motorsports Federation (FFSA) said it would stop financing the event.
A statement from the FFSA said: "After examining the economic situation, the FFSA is to stop being the financial promoters of a F1 Grand Prix."
Unless a replacement promoter is found, the French Grand Prix will not feature on the FIA calendar.
The race is due to be held at Magny-Cours on 28 June 2009.
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone criticised the venue after this year's race but it was given a stay of execution despite speculation of a move to a track nearer to Paris.


Magny-Cours, in a predominantly rural area in the middle of France, has always struggled to provide the facilities expected of a modern F1 venue. (from BBC News)

Force India will retain the line-up of Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and Germany's Adrian Sutil next season.
With two races to go before the end of the Formula One season, the pair have yet to contribute a point but will get another opportunity next term.
"I'm happy with Adrian and Giancarlo and they will continue through 2009," said Force India owner Vijay Mallya.
Fisichella's best finish so far this season was 10th at the Spanish Grand Prix and Sutil's 13th in Belgium.
"I am really disappointed with this season and I think it is just time to finish this season and hopefully we will do a better one next one," said the highly-rated Sutil, 25.
"With Giancarlo I had a good team-mate. He was pushing me all the time and I really saw myself progressing and growing, so right now I am feeling very, very good."
Fisichella, 35, joined the Ferrari-powered team from Renault at the end of last season. He has won three races in 12 years in F1.
Mallya said he had been talking to Mercedes about the possibility of replacing Ferrari because he wants an engine, gearbox and Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) in one package from his supplier for next year.
"That's our requirement and we can't do without any one component," he said.
"So negotiations continue and I'm hoping that we will be able to finalise something sooner rather than later because we need to finish this season, get on with testing and be prepared for a significantly improved performance by the team in 2009."

CHINESE GRAND PRIX, Shanghai International Circuit
Race: Sunday, 19 October from 0800 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sport website and ITV1
Qualifying: Saturday, 18 October from 0700 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Sport website and ITV1

Hamilton is under fire from a number of angles as he seeks to win the title

Lewis Hamilton's driving has come under the spotlight at the Chinese Grand Prix following criticism from his rivals.
The issue has been thrown into the spotlight after several leading drivers expressed concerns about some of the manoeuvres Hamilton has pulled.
"Lewis is a phenomenal talent but his respected colleagues are saying: 'Mate, it doesn't need to be like that all the time,'" Red Bull's Mark Webber said.
Hamilton said: "I know people have comments and that's fine with me."
Some drivers have been concerned about Hamilton's driving all season, but the issue has come to a head following last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.
Hamilton was penalised for an attempt to retain his lead following a slow start at Fuji, which led to him taking Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen off the track.

I know people have comments and that's fine with me. They have the right to their own opinion Lewis Hamilton

"The first corner in Fuji was pretty wild," said Webber, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.
"Lewis was having a crack, but if someone had been sitting on his right rear when he pulled out then that was a crash," Webber said.
"There was also no way he was going to make the first corner, and while it is not illegal to out-brake yourself, we want to have a bit of a chat about moving around in the braking areas.
"If any guy moves two or three metres left or right then you have contact and you have tethers (on the wheels) going off, so that is what we want a chat about."
"I am not smashing Hamilton but it is about how you move on. Tiger Woods learns. Roger Federer learns. And Lewis is going through that.
"We lost a marshal at Monza [in 2000] when there were guys moving around in the braking areas and it is very hard to change your line if you don't know what is coming. That is the only thing that we need to look at."



Talking to the BBC on Friday, Webber was at pains to stress he had never said Hamilton could end up killing someone, as was reported in some British tabloid newspapers.
"I know I never said the word 'kill'," Webber said. "I said a lot of positive stuff about Lewis.
"It's clear there has been a few manoeuvres in the braking area that some of us have not agreed with, and I used Monza eight years ago as an example of that type of situation where we can have cars flying through the air.
"[I'm] very disappointed those at the headlines. I'm disappointed with the press - they come to you for your expertise and experience and sometimes they slate you."
Kubica, who crashed heavily in Canada last year and had questioned the safety of Hamilton's driving in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September, clarified his position in China.
"When one driver is overtaking another one and crossing his line just in front of his wheels, it's quite dangerous, especially if someone behind has to lift off," he said.

Hamilton has been criticised for his behaviour at the start in Japan

"I have been involved in an accident in a similar situation in Canada and I know what it means when a front wheel hits a rear wheel, and it's quite dangerous.
"I just say this: while nothing happens everything is fine but if something happens then I think everyone will realise. That's all."
Hamilton said: "They have the right to their own opinion.
"It's a shame they all think that way but at the end of the day my driving is why I'm here and this is why I'm leading the championship. So I'm not disappointed with that."
Toyota's Jarno Trulli expressed concerns about the way Hamilton held him up while he was trying to lap him during the race.
BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld told BBC Sport after Friday practice in Shanghai: "I think the penalty [Hamilton] got in the last race was unreasonable.
"On the other side, I think he is a pretty hard driver. Sometimes it helps his results and sometimes he gets penalties but he is very aggressive."

606: DEBATE I would rather see kubica win it now but does a world champ deserve to win a title with only one win? jimmyv38

However, Webber's team-mate David Coulthard stamped out suggestions that the drivers resented the instant success Hamilton is enjoying in just his second year in the sport.
"Absolutely not," he told BBC Sport. "Whoever made that up, is people trying to imagine what it's like to be a racing driver rather than understanding what that is.
"From what I read in the media there seems to be a growing tide of drivers suggesting that his driving is too aggressive but most of the time I'm not racing against Lewis so can't really comment.
"I admire success and admire people who've dedicated themselves to the sport and if they are in a winning car then c'est la vie."



McLaren driver Hamilton leads his closest rival Felipe Massa of Ferrari by five points and BMW Sauber's Kubica by 12 with two races to go.
His lead at the top of the drivers' standings was cut by two points after he finished 12th and Massa seventh at last week's Japanese Grand Prix.
Hamilton is without a victory since the German Grand Prix seven races ago and has shown signs that he is feeling the pressure.
Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has said that Kubica would be the most worthy world champion this year.



Hamilton needs allies - Jordan

"The one who really deserves it now is Kubica," Villeneuve told BBC Sport
"He has not been in as good a car as either Felipe or Lewis yet he has produced a season without mistakes."
Villeneuve also questioned the number of penalties that have been handed out by race stewards this season.
"You have to say the penalties that both [Hamilton and Massa] have been getting has been a little bit surprising.
"Once you start giving penalties away you just have to keep giving more and more and where do you [draw] the line?"
"This year he's got it in his hands with two races to go so we'll see how it pans out.
"He's been thrown in very young and been told for many years that he's the best in the world.
"At some point you end up believing that and I guess that happens to most drivers at some point in their careers."

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton gave his world title hopes a big lift by taking pole for Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.
The Briton finished in front of title rivals Felipe Massa, who
will start third, and Robert Kubica, whose bid was dented by a poor
qualifying session.
Hamilton, 23, leads the standings by five points with just two races to go.
World champion Kimi Raikkonen, Massa's Ferrari team-mate, was
second, with Renault's Fernando Alonso, who has won the last two races,
claiming fourth.
BMW Sauber's Kubica, who lies 12 points behind
Hamilton, put in his worst qualifying performance of the season and
will start in 11th.
The Pole complained about the car's balance throughout the
session in Shanghai and had to drive to his limit to eke out any pace
at all after just squeezing into the second period of qualifying.
"I expect a tough race now because we are not allowed to change the set-up," Kubica said.
Kovalainen, who had been expected to support his team-mate
Hamilton with a strong performance in qualifying, claimed fifth place.
Asked after the race if he could help Hamilton's race strategy now, he shrugged and answered "not much".
Red Bull's Mark Webber qualified in sixth place but will start
from 16th place on the grid after incurring a 10-place penalty for a
last-minute engine change.
BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld had finished seventh but was demoted three places for impeding David Coulthard's Red Bull.
Sebastian Vettel for Toro Rosso, Toyota's Jarno Trulli and
Sebastien Bourdais in the second Toro Rosso complete the top-10
line-up.
Hamilton dominated qualifying, setting the benchmark for the rest of the field in each of the three sessions.
The 23-year-old repeated his usual trick of saving the best
until last, setting a fastest lap of one minute 36.303 seconds in the
closing minute to overhaul Raikkonen's best mark by 0.342secs.
"We came here very strong and determined and that was one of my best qualifying performances," Hamilton said.
"Ferrari will be very competitive at the start but I'm in a
better position to at least attack. If Kimi is ahead of me it doesn't
matter - as long as Felipe is behind me."
Hamilton's build-up to the race weekend has been overshadowed
by criticism from his fellow drivers about his aggressive driving style
but the Englishman insists he has been unaffected by the comments.
"I've not had anything hanging over me or anything on my mind except the need to produce a good lap," he added.
"You can see from this result I'm dealing with it all quite
well. I've a huge amount of support from back home, from across the
world, from my team and especially from my family.
"It was still tough out there with everyone very competitive, but I'm happy I got the lap done."
Hamilton can capture the world title in Shanghai on Sunday in
several scenarios; if he wins, with Massa lower than fourth; if he is
second, with Massa lower than sixth; or if he is third, with Massa out
of the points, as long as Kubica does not win.
Massa ran behind Hamilton in qualifying and had a chance to
eclipse Hamilton's provisional pole but could only manage the third
fastest time, raising questions over his fuel load.
The Brazilian will line up on the second row alongside Alonso
but remains confident he can still challenge his title rival Hamilton.
"We were struggling a bit this weekend, struggling to make the right
lap and to put everything together and it looked like McLaren have an
easier car," he said.
"We don't know how we will do in the race but I'm confident I can fight for the victory tomorrow."
In a repeat of last weekend's front row for the Japanese GP,
Raikkonen lines up alongside Hamilton and the reigning world champion's
presence could again unsettle the Englishman.
Hamilton made a shaky start in Fuji and was penalised for taking the Finn off the track as the pair battled for the lead.
Raikkonen played down Ferrari's competitiveness whilst making it clear he intended to challenge Hamilton again in Shanghai.
"This hasn't been the easiest weekend," said the Finn.
"The McLaren has been fast all weekend, and the three-tenths (of
a second) gap is quite big, but we will see tomorrow how they will be
in race conditions.
"We are not in first place but we are still in a good place to try to win."
At the opposite end of the pack, David Coulthard starts his penultimate Grand Prix in 15th place for Red Bull.
The Scot also successfully won an appeal against Heidfeld, who he claimed spoilt his flying lap in the opening session.
"It was unsporting behaviour by Heidfeld," Coulthard said. "He had no intention of a faster lap."Results from qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix:
1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren-Mercedes 1:36.303
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:36.645
3. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:36.889
4. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:36.927
5. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:36.9306.
6. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:37.685
7. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:37.934
8. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:38.885
9. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:37.201 *
10. Nelson Piquet (Brz) Renault 1:35.722
11. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:35.814
12. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:35.937
13. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:36.079
14. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1:36.210
15. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 1:36.7316.
16. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:37.083 **
17. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota 1:36.863
18. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:37.053
19. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari 1:37.730
20. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari 1:37.739

* = demoted three places for impeding
** = demoted 10 places for engine change

Lewis Hamilton has moved to the brink of the world title with a commanding victory in the Chinese Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver dominated the race at Shanghai while his title rival Felipe Massa was handed second place by Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.
The Brazilian had run third for most of the event, unable to stay on terms with Hamilton or Raikkonen ahead of him.
Hamilton takes a seven-point lead over Massa into the season finale in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 2 November.
With a maximum of 10 points available, the 23-year-old Englishman will be a strong favourite to become the youngest champion in F1 history at Interlagos.


Just as importantly, Hamilton's margin is large enough that he will win the title in Brazil as long as he finishes fifth or higher.
"This is another step towards the championship, my dream and the team's dream," said Hamilton.
"We didn't want to go out and win everything in this race but to look to the two races. [This victory] was quite straightforward but it will be tough in Brazil with Ferrari pushing hard."
The third man who entered the Chinese race in the championship reckoning, BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica, is out of the running after finishing sixth.

After my second stop we were pretty much cruising and I knew I just had to keep my head and keep calm and it wasn't tough at all Lewis Hamilton

Renault's Fernando Alonso was fourth, unable to stay with the Ferraris, but well clear of everyone else.
Nick Heidfeld of BMW took fifth after McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen suffered a puncture with 20 laps to go, with Toyota's Timo Glock and Renault's Nelson Piquet taking the final points positions in seventh and eighth.
Hamilton had been under pressure all weekend in China in the wake of a dramatic race in Japan last week, and his driving tactics have been criticised by some of his peers.
But he was unflustered on his way to one of his most commanding victories, in an uneventful race that was a stark contrast to events in Fuji.
There, Hamilton earned himself a penalty for a wild move at the first corner after messing up his start, tangled with Massa on the second lap and finished out of the points in 12th.

Raikkonen was the fastest Ferrari man but he allowed Massa to finish second

This time, he drove the race he should have driven in Fuji, making a perfect start and leading comfortably throughout the race apart from during the first pit-stop period.
"It was a great start, probably one of the best we've had which we needed," the Englishman said. "I took it quite easy through the first corners and then started to increase the gap.
"After my second stop we were pretty much cruising and I knew I just had to keep my head and keep calm and it wasn't tough at all."
Hamilton's main rival throughout the race was Raikkonen, but the McLaren built a four-second lead before they both made their first pit stops on lap 15.



Hamilton extended his advantage to 6.6secs by the time the field settled down after the pit-stop period.
And although Raikkonen nibbled at Hamilton's lead at times through the middle period of the race, the McLaren always appeared to be in control.
Hamilton was eight seconds in front by the time of the second pit-stop period, after which Raikkonen slowed and allowed his team-mate to take second place at the end of the back on lap 49.

I had nothing to lose - or win - so I'm driving for the team Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari driver

Team orders are forbidden under FIA - the sport's governing body - rules but Raikkonen said he no qualms about doing whatever was necessary to help Ferrari, even though Massa was largely unable to match his pace throughout the race.
"I had nothing to lose - or win - so I'm driving for the team," said the Finn, whose title defence came to an end in Japan last week.
"I know what we want as a team and that's what we did. It's normal in those situations."
Massa kept alive his hopes of capturing the world title in front of his home fans in Brazil but was left frustrated by his inability to challenge Hamilton in Shanghai.
"I am fighting McLaren and it was not a fantastic result for the drivers' championship," he said.

606: DEBATE After Lewis's latest victory in Shanghai, surely the Brit has to win the drivers championship RKW - Poland's Finest Kopite

"We were driving on the limit trying to reduce the gap but it was not possible. Lewis had a better car the whole weekend.
"I was strong enough to catch and pass [Raikkonen] and that was the best part of the race for me - but it was not enough."
Provisional result of the Chinese Grand Prix:
1 Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes
2 Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 14.9 seconds behind
3 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari at 16.4secs
4 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault at 18.3secs
5 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber at 28.9secs
6 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber at 33.2secs
7 Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota at 41.7secs
8 Nelson Piquet (Brz) Renault at 56.6secs
9 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at 1:04.3
10 David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault at 1:14.5
11 Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda at 1:25.0
12 Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota at 1:30.8
13 Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at 1:31.4
14 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault at 1:32.4
15 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota one lap behind
16 Jenson Button (GB) Honda at one lap behind
17 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari at one lap
R Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 49 laps completed
R Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari 13 laps completed
R Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota two laps completed
(from BBC News)

Looking good for Hamilton...

Michael Schumacher believes his record of seven world titles can be beaten - and that Lewis Hamilton could do it.
Hamilton could clinch his first title in Brazil on Sunday - the McLaren driver has a seven-point lead over rival Felipe Massa of Ferrari.
Schumacher told the BBC's Inside Sport programme: "I would say, absolutely, yes [Hamilton could win seven titles].
"Nobody thought, even me, that I could beat [Juan Manuel] Fangio. Then I did. Records are there to be beaten".
The 39-year-old said losing the record would not bother him.
"I'm quite relaxed that one day it will happen - whether it's Lewis, whether it's Massa, or whoever.
"It might be someone of the current or of the future that could or will do it. But I've got no problem about it."
Schumacher said he rated Hamilton "really highly" but was reluctant to say whether he thought he was the best active driver in F1.

Kimi is only in his second year with us, so he's still in transition time Michael Schumacher

"When you think about what he has done in such a short time - just arriving and competing last year with [double world champion Fernando] Alonso and being very often quicker - that talks for itself.
"Is he the best? Is he not the best? Is he better than Felipe Massa or not? You look at the circumstances; it is not always very straightforward or clear to understand from the outside."
In the interview, Schumacher discussed the problems that led to Massa's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen falling out of contention in this year's championship after leading in the first half of the season.

WHAT HAMILTON NEEDS TO DO If Massa wins in Brazil, Hamilton must finish at least fifth to be champion If Massa is second, Hamilton must finish at least seventh If Massa is third or lower, Hamilton is champion regardless of his result in Brazil

"They [Ferrari] have to protect him, in many ways, because in the middle of the season there were developments made with the car, and Kimi just simply didn't get on with this one," said Schumacher, who still tests for Ferrari in his role as a consultant for the team.
"The moment we went back with those changes, we put him back into competitive lap times.
"Kimi is only in his second year with us, so he's still in transition time. Felipe is already quite a bit longer with us, so unfortunately we have to face those problems."
Schumacher also discussed his relationship with Raikkonen and rejected the possibility of ever making a comeback to F1. (from BBC news)

Felipe Massa gained the upper hand on rival Lewis Hamilton after practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix, where both aim to win the 2008 world championship.
There was little to separate the duo in the first session as Massa topped the timesheets by just 0.190 seconds.
But in a damp second practice Hamilton trailed in ninth, well behind Massa who was second to Fernando Alonso.
McLaren's Hamilton has a seven-point lead over Ferrari's Massa ahead of Sunday's title decider at Interlagos.
"Our car was blindingly quick this morning despite the cold weather, which made the track feel quite slippery," said the Englishman.
"The car felt good. I'm pretty comfortable that we have a good package.

606: DEBATE I do think Lewis was quite keen to show one or two fast laps in practice and it didn't go too well. Rufus McDufus

"This afternoon, we focused on our race pace - but we were interrupted by the threat of rain and the changeable wind direction.
"I'm positive that the changes we've made will put us in a good position for tomorrow."
After failing to match the McLarens for pace in the last race in China, Massa felt optimistic following the early run-out in Brazil.
"For sure we are more competitive, and when you are more competitive there is more motivation," he said. "It was a good start."
Hamilton held the same seven-point advantage over Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen going into last season's finale in Brazil only to see the title slip through his fingers.
His race came unstuck when he lost ground by running wide on the first lap before falling to the back of the field because of a gearbox problem.
Though Hamilton recovered to seventh, Raikkonen took the chequered flag to snatch the title by a single point.

WHAT HAMILTON NEEDS TO DO If Massa wins in Brazil, Hamilton must finish at least fifth to be champion If Massa is second, Hamilton must finish at least seventh If Massa is third or lower, Hamilton is champion regardless of his result in Brazil

With one hand on the world championship for the second season running, Hamilton only needs to finish fifth in Brazil if Massa wins his home race.
The McLaren team are determined not to jeopardise Hamilton's title chances by pushing for victory at Interlagos but in first practice the two title rivals were evenly matched.
With scattered spots of rain falling, the Englishman set the pace with his second effort of 1:12.495.
But with nine minutes left on the clock, Massa shaved off a little more time to eclipse Hamilton's benchmark by 0.190 secs and take top spot.
The Brazilian continued to dominate on his hometown circuit in Sao Paolo in the afternoon session.
He seized first place from Toyota's Jarno Trulli at the third time of asking, setting a benchmark of 1:12.353.
Another rain shower came at the wrong time for Hamilton to make any impression on the pace-setters.
The McLaren driver was out on the softer tyres but diminishing track temperatures saw him mired down the field.
Hamilton's attempt to put together the perfect lap was not helped by several lock-ups, with the McLaren driver coming unstuck at the Bico de Pato and in the Senna S combination.
He aborted his last flying lap and finished down in ninth place, nearly half a second off Massa's time.
Alonso, who had been conspicuously quiet during practice, suddenly unleashed his pace in the dying minutes of practice to topple Massa.
The Renault driver, who won the 2005 and 2006 world titles at Interlagos, edged out the Brazilian by just 0.057 secs on his way to the day's best flying lap of 1:12.296.
Ferrari's Raikkonen set the third fastest time in first practice despite a series of spins and was fourth fastest in the afternoon.
It was a disappointing day for fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen in the second McLaren as he followed up his fifth placing in the morning with 15th in the late session.
The cooler than usual conditions in Sao Paolo seemed to confuse team tactics across the board and more rain is forecast for Sunday's race.
First free practice times for the Brazilian Grand Prix:
1. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1 min 12.305 secs
2. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:12.495
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:12.507
4. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:12.874
5. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:12.925
6. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:13.061
7. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:13.298
8. Nelson Piquet (Brz) Renault 1:13.378
9. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:13.426
10. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:13.466
11. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:13.600
12. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams-Toyota 1:13.621
13. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:13.649
14. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:13.676
15. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:13.766
16. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota 1:13.806
17. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:13.836
18. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 1:13.861
19. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India- Ferrari 1:14.704
20. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari 1:14.821
Second practice times:
1. Alonso 1:12.296
2. Massa 1:12.353
3. Trulli 1:12.435
4. Raikkonen 1:12.600
5. Webber 1:12.650
6. Vettel 1:12.687
7. Piquet 1:12.703
8. Rosberg 1:12.761
9. Hamilton 1:12.827
10. Nakajima 1:12.886
11. Coulthard 1:12.896
12. Kubica 1:12.971
13. Heidfeld 1:13.038
14. Glock 1:13.041
15. Kovalainen 1:13.213
16. Barrichello 1:13.221
17. Bourdais 1:13.273
18. Button 1:13.341
19. Sutil 1:13.428
20. Fisichella 1:13.691