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Felipe Massa has charged to Formula One’s first ever night-time pole position at Singapore. The Ferrari pilot edged out Lewis Hamilton in the final session to take the top spot, and comfortably beat his team mate Kimi Raikkonen by 0.8s. After Moncao and Valencia, Massa is looking to be a street-circuit specialist. Heikki Kovalainen ran well in Q1 and Q2, but by the time the critical session came around, the Finn could only manage fifth. Fernando Alonso stopped at the start of Q2 with a fuel supply issue and Giancarlo Fisichella similarly didn’t set a lap time in Q1. Continue Reading

With the rain clearing in time for the second 90 minute practice session at Monza, the teams went out early to get in as many laps as possible, maximising their running to ensure a decent set up is found for Saturday and Sunday. And at the end of the day, it was Kimi Raikkonen who set the fastest lap, heading a slightly topsy-turvy field. Both BMW’s showed surprising form given that it is still Friday with Robert Kubica taking second and Nick Heidfeld third. Continue Reading

World champion Kimi Raikkonen has extended his contract with Ferrari until the end of 2010, meaning that unless something extraordinary happens, Fernando Alonso will not be able to drive for the Scuderia for another two years at least. Felipe Massa signed a long-term contract last year that also sees himself with Ferrari until the closing of 2010. Therefore, Ferrari’s driver line-up will remain unchanged, despite all the rumours that have persisted during 2008. Continue Reading

McLaren have confirmed, after much discussion, that they have now lodged an appeal with the FIA over the decision to penalise Lewis Hamilton with a post-race drive-thru following the Belgian Grand Prix. The penalty, which followed an on-track skirmish between the McLaren driver and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, has left many fans feeling annoyed at the steward’s inconsistency and of course, the actually ambiguity of the incident itself. Continue Reading

So after a long day in front of the TV and the computer monitor, you would have thought that the issues surrounding the Belgian Grand Prix would have been enough for anyone. But late this evening, a new rumour is beginning to circulate, and this one centres around the hotly debated subject of Fernando Alonso’s future. It has been known for a while that Alonso is looking for a Ferrari drive, but failing that, where else could Fernando go? McLaren? No way. BMW, possibly… Continue Reading

After the news that Lewis Hamilton has been handed a 25 second penalty for his battle with Kimi Raikkonen in the final stages of the Belgian Grand Prix, this obviously effects the final outcome of the race. The added 25 seconds puts Hamilton back to third, and promotes Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld up the order to first and second respectively. In terms of championships, Massa is now closer to Hamilton in the title fight (just 2 points separates them), and Raikkonen isn’t as far behind as he previously was. Continue Reading

Kimi Raikkonen hasn’t performed well in recent races, and following the last post about the Scuderia and their tactics for the remainder of the year, it seems there are many possible reasons for the Finn’s slump. However, after today’s Belgian Grand Prix, Raikkonen is looking less and less like a Formula One world champion. The question is should Ferrari still maintain their faith in Kimi, or should they now focus on Felipe for the final five races? Continue Reading

Both Ferraris have topped the timing sheets at Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps circuit, set in the Ardennes Forest. It was Felipe Massa who got the upper-hand and led his team mate Kimi Raikkonen for most of the session. Sliding in to third and fourth were both McLarens, Lewis Hamilton edging out Heikki Kovalainen, but lapping some 0.6s off Massa’s pace. Of the top four, it was Hamilton who made the most noticeable error, taking to the gravel at Les Combes as well as losing time at La Source on what was meant to be an improved lap. Continue Reading

It has been announced with tremendous sadness that America’s first Formula One world champion, Phil Hill, has passed away this evening in California. At a grand age of 81, Phil had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease and finally gave up the fight after a long struggle. Hill had become the first and to date only American-born driver to win the F1 title when in 1961, he lifted the crown and brought a smile to Enzo Ferrari’s face. Continue Reading

On the first day of testing at Monza this season, Felipe Massa has topped the tables and continued his impressive pace from last weekend’s European Grand Prix. With the Italian circuit due to host the fourteenth round of the championship in mid-September, most teams were working on their aerodynamic packages to give them a better understanding of the set up required. Heikki Kovalainen and Nico Rosberg followed the Ferrari pilot close behind in second and third. Continue Reading