How did Ferrari get ahead of Renault in pits?
Spanish rags AS Diario and Marca (pillars of truth, both… ahem) report that Renault are looking closely at Kimi Raikkonen’s second pit stop in Hungary. Alonso was ahead of Kimi before the stop, but Ferrari managed somehow to get their driver out ahead, a move that effectively ruined Nando’s chances of making the podium.
Alonso himself was mystified by Ferrari’s lightning-fast stop: “I don’t know how they did it,” he is quoted as saying. “We will carefully study the data and see if they have something that allows them to fill up faster.”
Alonso stopped short of accusing Ferrari of cheating (perhaps by using a modified fuel rig?) but it’s clear that Renault smell a rat.
So does the French team have a point? Well, you can watch the stop here:
There’s no doubt Ferrari turned Kimi around very quickly, but it’s impossible to say if there’s any foul play. And you have to say that Kimi got out ahead with a couple of seconds to spare.
However, the fact that Raikkonen didn’t appear on the official pit-stop timesheet (see below) will only add fuel - what else - to the fire:
No wonder Renault want a further investigation into the incident.
Or perhaps Kimi was just “on it” in the lap before he pitted? There’s no doubt he was driving better in the second half of the race; his out lap after the second pit stop was very fast.
That said, this feels like the Pro-Alonso Spanish media in another “clutching at straws” shock. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Lewis Hamilton: Heikki’s car is quicker in qualifying
What’s wrong with Kimi Raikkonen?
8 responses so far
1 Racehound // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:45 am
on the in lap Kimi locked under braaking and looked to have gone at least 3-4 seconds behind Fernando before he pitted!!……i was amazed when the Ferrari came out in front, even tho his was only a 6 second pit -stop!!! hmmmmmm…….
2 Ben Auty // Aug 6, 2008 at 12:52 pm
CHEATS !
3 Alan // Aug 6, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I too was surprised by the short stop but had just assumed they called Kimi in early due to traffic concerns or something…
4 716i // Aug 6, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Alonso’s 2nd stop’s not on that timesheet either - cheat! Maybe Kimi had lots of extra fuel in, which was why he couldn’t catch the Renault before the stop.
Which is nice 2 days after the event. Bring back proper racing, on the track.
5 jelena // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:11 pm
wtf ???
why isnt kimi on the timesheet ????????? - that alone is the proof they’re cheating.
i’ll say it again:
FIA - ferrari international assistance
what a bunch of pussies. kimi sucks !
alonso, screw them. kimi is a f*-up bastard.
6 jelena // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:13 pm
FERRARI CHEATING BASTARDS !
take away kimi’s points and give them a penalty !
it’s about bloody time !!!!!
no penalties for monaco, none for france….wtf, why is ferrari being protected ???
7 Parag Dhungana // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Guys… Alonso’s second pitstop is also not on the official sheet ???
how about that
go to http://www.formula1.com and see everything what u want to…
8 kak // Aug 7, 2008 at 8:28 am
Alonso’s second pitstop is on the summary:
http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2008/797/6544/pit_stop_summary.html