Championship leader Lewis Hamilton set the benchmark in first practice for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix where he aims to clinch the 2008 world title.
The Englishman jumped to the top of the timesheets at Interlagos, clocking one minute 12.495 seconds in his McLaren.
But his main title rival, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, stayed in touch, closing the gap to 0.062secs at the halfway point of the session.
Hamilton leads Massa by seven points going into the final race.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hamilton sets benchmark in Brazil
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I will help Massa win - Raikkonen
Kimi Raikkonen has vowed to do all he can to help Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa succeed him as world champion.
Massa is seven points behind British leader Lewis Hamilton in the title race, which will be decided in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
"I'll be glad if I can do something for Felipe so he can win the title," said Raikkonen.
Massa added: "It's a team sport and both me and Kimi know we have to do what is best for the team."
Last season, Massa surrendered the lead at Interlagos to hand Raikkonen victory and the title, by a single point from Hamilton.
Raikkonen returned the favour at this season's Chinese Grand Prix, boosting Massa's title chances by allowing the Brazilian to easily pass him for second place.
On home soil in Brazil, Massa needs to finish first or second to have a chance of denying Hamilton, and is relying on the full support of his team.
"I know there have been comments about me overtaking Kimi in the final stages of that race [China], but they have come from people who don't really understand how the sport works," remarked Massa.
"Psychologically, a racing driver always wants to finish in front, but all drivers have a contract with their team, so you are not racing as an individual.
"When you are fighting for the championship, with only one driver in with a mathematical chance of winning, then all the teams in the pit lane would do the same.
"That is, to put that one driver in a position where he has the best chance of winning. That is part of this sport."
Raikkonen added: "Once you don't fight for the title any more, then for me, it does not make a difference if I finish second or third, as long as the points for Ferrari remain the same.
"I couldn't win the drivers' title this year, but I assure you that I'll try again next year."
In the McLaren camp, Hamilton is maintaining a level-headed approach to the season showdown in Brazil.
Last year the Englishman had taken a seven-point lead to Brazil only to see his title chances evaporate on race day.
After starting second on the grid, he ran wide on the first lap and then suffered a gearbox problem; though he recovered to finish seventh it was not enough to prevent Raikkonen taking the title.
"Last year, without the experience, I was a bit lost," said Hamilton, who is aiming to succeed 1996 winner Damon Hill as Britain's latest world champion.
"This year we go in with a much better approach but, despite that, I don't believe it gives us any reason to get ahead of ourselves.
"We need to keep our feet on the ground and head into the race with the approach we had in China.
"If we are able to do that, then we will be in a great position.
"We know we don't have to win. We just have to do a solid job, and that has to be our target."
Massa shrugs off title pressure
Felipe Massa insists he is unfazed as he attempts to clinch the Formula One title ahead of rival Lewis Hamilton at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Ferrari driver trails Hamilton by seven points in the title race heading into Sunday's race at Interlagos.
"I have zero pressure because I have nothing to lose," said Massa.
"I have a harder job ahead of me than Lewis in terms of points but my gameplan for the end of the week is more simple than his - I must win."
Hamilton, 23, only needs to cross the line in fifth place in Brazil to become the youngest world champion in the history of F1 following his victory at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Massa, on the other hand, must finish first or second to have any hope of pipping the Englishman to a maiden world drivers' crown.
However, the Brazilian believes knowing exactly what he has to do on his home track in Sao Paolo is an advantage.
"My own objective for the weekend is much more straightforward than his," added Massa.
"I only have to focus on winning the race on Sunday afternoon, hopefully with my team-mate Kimi Raikkonen second behind me.
"The only thing I am thinking about is winning. After that, the matter is not in my hands and we will have to wait and see exactly what and how much we have won."
Massa has been on pole in Brazil for the past two seasons and finished second to Raikkonen in 2007 after allowing the Finn past to collect the win he needed to become world champion.
The 27-year-old is also confident his good form at Interlagos, coupled with the support of his home fans, could also play into his hands.
"It is impossible to predict what will happen at the Brazilian Grand Prix but I think our car has always been very good at this circuit," stated Massa.
"Another plus for me is that I will have a huge following here in my home town, I have my people behind me."
Hamilton heads to Brazil with the same points advantage he held over Raikkonen last season but will aim to avoid repeating the misfortunes that resulted in him being denied the title.
In 2007, the McLaren driver ran off the road trying unnecessarily to pass then team-mate Fernando Alonso before a gearbox problem left him at the tail of the field.
He was able to recover only to seventh as Raikkonen won to snatch the title from Hamilton's grasp by a single point - and Massa believes the memories of that race could still affect his English rival.
"All the pressure will be on him," he said. "Especially when you think about what happened at this race last year.
"For sure, Lewis will try to put pressure on me but I can't wait for the final Sunday of the season."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Ferrari make F1 engine row threat
Ferrari are threatening to review their participation in Formula One if plans to introduce a standard engine for all teams go ahead from 2010.
F1's governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) wants to bring in the rule to save costs.
"The use of same engines would deprive F1 of its competition and technological development," said Ferrari.
In July, FIA chief Max Mosley said F1 was becoming increasingly "unsustainable" while urging teams to find ways to reduce both their costs and fuel consumption.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone does not believe major car manufacturers would quit the sport over the standard engine issue.
"I don't see why they should leave. We are saving them an awful lot of money, I hope. I don't see why they should," said Ecclestone.
"Why should someone pull out because they are going to save a lot of money? All the technical things will still be there so they can show all their talents.
"What we want is to reduce the necessity to spend to be competitive. That is the simplest thing."
However, BBC 5 Live commentator David Croft believes there is a possibility that the teams could stand firm and refuse to back the FIA's proposal.
"It's a real threat that the teams are united here - that the boards are united behind their teams - and that the FIA are not going to be able to steamroller their plans through," said Croft.
"The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) has already said 'we're not going to supply engines in the tendering process,' so who's going to make these standardised engines?
"They support Max Mosley in the cost-cutting plans, it has to happen, but they're not going to do it off the back of standardised engines."
Toyota Motorsport president John Howett has already come out in support of Ferrari's demand for different engines for the teams.
"I don't think any of the manufacturers want a homogenised engine," said Howett.
"If it is forced through, then it (quitting) is not a decision we will take here (Toyota F1's base in Cologne).
"It will be taken by the board in Japan, but they want a degree of differentiation between teams."
Before this month's Chinese Grand Prix the FIA announced a tender for "a third-party supplier of engines and transmission systems" to be used by all teams in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
"The board reserves the right to consider, together with our partners, our presence in this discipline."
The FIA has argued F1's costs are unsustainable in the current economic climate and must be slashed to ensure none of the 10 teams leaves the sport.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Schumacher expects Hamilton Reign
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.
"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.
"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.
F1 teams agree cost-cutting deal
The FIA and representatives of Formula One teams have agreed to cut costs for smaller teams from next season.
FIA president Max Mosley and Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo said the agreement would produce "significant cost savings for 2009 and 2010".
Officials of three teams, who wished to stay anonymous, said that the cost of engines supplied to independent teams will be capped at $13.2m a year.
The engines will also run for three instead of two race weekends.
The FIA said in a joint statement with the Formula One Teams Association (Fota) after a meeting in Geneva that the teams were "working urgently on further proposals for 2010 and thereafter".
Mosley said earlier this month that, even without the global credit crunch, the sport had become unsustainable at the current levels of spending.
The teams will meet during the Brazilian Grand Prix between 31 October and 2 November to discuss changing the testing mileage from 2009, the team officials said.
The FIA and Fota will meet again after the race to modify the rules for chassis design from 2010.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hamilton can take pressure - Hill
Former world champion Damon Hill says Lewis Hamilton will handle the pressure of the Formula One title showdown.
The 23-year-old McLaren star holds a seven-point lead over Ferrari's Felipe Massa going into the final grand prix of the season in Brazil on 2 November.
"The last race is a mountain to climb but he has understood the discipline he needs to see him through," Hill said.
"You have to remind yourself that this is only his second season in F1, and it takes a while to get the hang of it."
After his victory in China on Sunday, Hamilton will become the youngest champion in F1 history if he finishes fifth or better even if Massa wins at Interlagos.
According to Hill, the target is well within his fellow Englishman's reach after demonstrating that he is maturing all the time.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Hamilton calm over Title Finale
Lewis Hamilton says he is approaching the title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix with calm and confidence after winning the Chinese Grand Prix.
He has a seven-point lead over Ferrari rival Felipe Massa as he chases a first world championship on 2 November.
"It'll be a similar approach to this weekend," said Hamilton. "A bit calmer, a bit more confident in the package and what we have to do.
"It's not about cruising - it is about a strong finish but it will be tough."
Hamilton's points advantage is the same as the one he held over Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen heading into Brazil last year.
In 2007, he allowed a chance to claim the title in China to slip through his fingers when he slid off coming into the pits.
Then in Brazil he ran off the road trying unnecessarily to pass then team-mate Fernando Alonso before a gearbox problem left him at the tail of the field.
He was able to recover only to seventh as Raikkonen won to snatch the title from Hamilton's grasp.
But Hamilton rejected any comparisons between last year and this.
"It's a completely different year," said the 23-year-old, who could become Formula One's youngest world champion.
"The last race of last year was tough.
"We went to Brazil and we were on the back foot and knowing that Ferrari would be competitive in Brazil.
"We will arrive this year, knowing we have had a good race [in China] and we will settle down and work very, very hard to arrive in Brazil even more competitive.
"I'm feeling very good about it but we will try and do the best we can.
"We will have a similar approach to this weekend, which is a better approach than I had last year."
Massa must finish first or second in Brazil to have any chance of taking the title.
But Hamilton only needs to finish fifth if Massa wins or seventh if the Brazilian is second to secure the crown.
And after a season dotted with errors, Hamilton insists he will rein in his natural instincts to go all out for victory and settle for securing his first drivers' crown.
"We don't have to win in Brazil," he added. "We just have to do a solid job and that's going to be our target.
"[The title] is on your mind but the fact that we have done a good job in China is what we needed to do.
"We still have a tough race ahead in Brazil but I am really looking forward to it."
Chinese Grand Prix photos
A relaxed Lewis Hamilton carries the hopes of a nation as he attempts to become a Formula One world champion at the age of 23
With the race fast approaching, Hamilton turns to his father Anthony for a guiding hand and some moral support
Starting on pole position, Hamilton gets off to a clean start and does not allow any of his Ferrari rivals to pass
Italy's Jarno Trulli spins off just after the start of the race in overcast conditions
McLaren's hopes in the constructors' race are hit when birthday boy Heikki Kovalainen retires after puncturing his tyre
Massa moves past team-mate Raikkonen with six laps to go to claim second behind Hamilton and keep his title hopes alive
Massa cannot hide his dejection on the podium knowing a fifth-placed finish for Hamilton in Brazil will give his young rival the title
Stevenage-born Hamilton celebrates as he moves closer to succeeding Damon Hill as Britain's latest world champion
Hamilton closes on title with win
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Hamilton storms to Shanghai pole
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
Friday, October 17, 2008
FIA wants French GP clarification
Formula One's governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has expressed its concern over the French Grand Prix's cancellation.
The 2009 French GP was cancelled after the French Motorsports Federation (FFSA) withdrew its financing.
"Up until today we have heard nothing and we are gravely concerned," said a FIA spokesman.
Magny-Cours was due to stage the race on 28 June 2009 but France will now not feature on next season's FIA calendar.
"The FIA secretary general has written to the president of the FFSA today to seek an urgent clarification of the situation of the French Grand Prix," added the FIA spokesman.
The FFSA confirmed that all those who had already booked tickets would be reimbursed and apologised for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation.
France has only once been absent - in 1955 - from the F1 calendar since the championship started in 1950
The FFSA has a contract to run the French Grand Prix until 2011 but F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has long wanted to move it to a track closer to Paris from 2010.
Next year's race had already been billed as the last at Magny-Cours, a circuit in the depths of rural France that has fallen out of favour with teams and sponsors.
Ecclestone had wanted to axe it but agreed to a reprieve and the circuit retained its slot on an 18-round calendar published last week.
That calendar was notable for the absence of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, which had been on an earlier 19-race provisional list.
Poor accommodation facilities and difficult access were regarded as the main weaknesses of the Magny-Cours track.
Disneyland Paris is reportedly a favoured option for a future French Grand Prix, with plenty of hotel rooms and easy rail access from Paris and the rest of Europe.
The FFSA said it was studying six "serious and worthwhile" projects, most of which involved a new track near the French capital.
Force India keep drivers for 2009
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."
Japan crash behind me - Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton says he has put the collision with title rival Felipe Massa at the Japanese Grand Prix behind him.
Hamilton failed to score points in his damaged car by finishing 12th, but Brazilian Massa was only able to score two points for seventh place.
The McLaren driver enters the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday five points ahead of Ferrari's Massa.
"We have collected ourselves and we're moving forward," Hamilton said in a news conference in Shanghai.
"Coming here (China) I feel just as strong as I always do and I've still got two races, still five points ahead, and still have a great opportunity to make the next step.
"When you have not such good races there's always going to be criticism. It doesn't matter if it's positive or negative, you move forward, you put it in the past."
Massa cut Hamilton's lead by two points by finishing seventh in Fuji last weekend.
BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica is also in with a chance of the title - he is 12 points behind Hamilton after finishing second behind Renault's Fernando Alonso in Japan
Hamilton accused Massa of deliberately running into him in Japan, but the Ferrari driver does not believe the Briton's aggressive style will be the decisive factor in the remaining races in China and Brazil.
"That is Lewis," he said. "That is his personality - to be aggressive and to always be over confident. That is true.
"It doesn't mean that he cannot be good, cannot be competitive or cannot be strong because of that.
"Everybody knows that he is very strong and these things made him a lot of points. That is why it doesn't change anything."
Kimi Raikkonen, who is out of the running for this year's title, has said he will do what he can to help team-mate Massa win the championship.
"Our goal is a one-two win," said the 2007 champion. "I'll give it all to help Felipe and the team to gain the results we want."
Alonso, who fell out with McLaren during a tumultuous season as Hamilton's team-mate last year, was quoted last week by Spanish newspapers saying that he would help Massa if he could.
And at the news conference on Thursday, the Spaniard was asked about his comments.
"I was waiting for this question. When I said this in Fuji, what I meant is now we have a competitive car it seems we are able to fight sometimes with Ferrari and McLaren.
"First of all we need to have a competitive car in Shanghai and in Brazil to be fighting with Ferrari and McLaren. If we do that and Felipe wins the race and I can be second or third, I will be happy to help Felipe take as many points as possible."
Hamilton, sitting alongside, responded: "I don't really have an opinion on it. I focus on my job and the most important thing is to be competitive this weekend and try to earn some points. I want to be at the front and what the others do is none of my business."
Rivals criticise Hamilton tactics
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
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."
Hamilton heads Massa in practice
Lewis Hamilton got his Chinese Grand Prix weekend off to a perfect start with the fastest time in practice.
The McLaren driver clocked one minute 35.630 seconds in the first session to beat Ferrari's Felipe Massa, his main rival for the title, by 0.390 secs.
Hamilton was fastest again in the slower second session, with the Brazilian in sixth place.
The third driver in title contention, BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica, was fifth and 12th in the two sessions.
Fernando Alonso - the winner of the last two races, who has made it clear he would rather Kubica or Massa won the title than his former team-mate Hamilton - was second fastest in the afternoon, 0.274 secs adrift in his Renault.
Hamilton leads Massa in the drivers' standings by five points heading into this penultimate race, with Kubica a further seven adrift.
The 23-year-old can win the title on Sunday in one of 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.
For now, Hamilton is focusing on the task ahead in Shanghai, where he is determined to atone for his dismal 12th-place finish in Japan.
I'm not going into this race saying it has to be done now," said Hamilton, who is attempting to become the youngest world champion in Formula One history.
"I just want to redeem myself from last week. I feel confident for qualifying but not too confident.
"We have a strong car as always and this was one of the best Fridays I've had - I'm very happy."
Massa was well adrift of his McLaren rival in both sessions but believes his practice pace is not a true reflection of his ability to challenge Hamilton over the course of the weekend.
"Today doesn't represent anything," said Massa. "There are possibilities to be strong in qualifying and the race.
"I hope we can be competitive; that's what we're working for and for sure it would be nice to start in the front or the front row.
"We did a good job on fine-tuning [in practice] and I'm confident."
Kubica, who retains slim hopes of a first world title, admitted he needs to find further improvement if he is to challenge in China.
"We tried all kinds of different things, but I'm not happy with the balance of the car, and the overall level of grip is poor," Kubica said.
"There is still a lot of work to be done."
Hamilton insists he has put behind him the first-corner error that led to him scoring no points at the Japanese Grand Prix last Sunday.
But his driving has come in for criticism from some of his fellow racers, who believe he sometimes moves around dangerously while braking.
Hamilton, however, showed no signs of being distracted by his critics as he blitzed both practice sessions at the Shanghai circuit comfortably clear of his rivals.
The Englishman set his hot lap late in the morning session but jumped straight to the top of the timesheets in his first flying lap of the afternoon, setting a benchmark of 1:35.750 which could not be bettered.
Hamilton had dominated in China last season only for his race to unravel, and along with it his grip on the world title, when he spun into the gravel and was forced to retire from the race.
He looked on from the McLaren garage as Renault's Nelson Piquet made the same mistake in the same spot in morning practice, sliding off the pit lane entry and ploughing across the gravel.
There were plenty of wobbles during practice and Hamilton's otherwise faultless display was slightly spoiled when he ran off the track halfway through the opening session before coming off again at the tricky Turn Two in the afternoon.
Kimi Raikkonen spun his Ferrari in the same place, while Toro Rosso's Sebastian Bourdais ended the second session marooned in the gravel trap.
The afternoon session saw most of the field experiment with different fuel loads and Renault's strategy elevated Alonso up to second with his team-mate Piquet third.
However, Alonso, surprise winner of the last two Grands Prix, is not ruling out another solid performance in Shanghai.
"We need to work hard because we can improve the car a little bit in terms of set up," the double world champion said.
"The two top teams are very quick so we need to get in the middle of them and have a better qualifier to start from the front."
First practice times from Chinese Grand Prix:
1. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes one minute 35.630
2. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:36.020
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:36.052
4. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 1:36.103
5. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:36.507
6. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:36.661
7. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:37.040
8. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:37.070
9. Nelson Piquet (Brz) Renault 1:37.180
10. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:37.278
11. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:37.491
12. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:37.619
13. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota 1:37.630
14. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 1:37.638
15. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1:37.638
16. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:37.664
17. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:37.827
18. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:38.219
19. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari 1:38.285
20. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari 1:38.479
Second practice times:
1. Hamilton one minute 35.750
2. Alonso 1:36.024
3. Piquet 1:36.094
4. Trulli Toyota 1:36.159
5. Webber 1:36.375
6. Massa 1:36.480
7. Bourdais 1:36.529
8. Raikkonen 1:36.542
9. Heidfeld 1:36.553
10. Rosberg 1:36.556
11. Glock 1:36.615
12. Kubica 1:36.775
13. Kovalainen 1:36.797
14. Coulthard 1:36.808
15. Vettel 1:36.925
16. Nakajima 1:36.975
17. Fisichella 1:37.473
18. Sutil 1:37.617
19. Button 1:37.800
20. Barrichello 1:37.904
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Hill warns Hamilton to stay cool
Damon Hill says Lewis Hamilton needs to rein in his "impatience" if he is to clinch his first Formula One crown.
McLaren driver Hamilton leads Felipe Massa of Ferrari by five points with two races to go, and the tension seemed to affect both in Sunday's Japanese GP.
Ex-world champion Hill told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Lewis is impatient to win that first title, but you can't force it.
"There's no question about his speed or ability, he just needs to stay cool and let it happen."
Hamilton was anything but cool after Sunday's race, accusing title rival Massa of deliberately running into him on lap two. The Brazilian denied the accusation.
The Briton, who also ran wide from pole going into the first turn, finished 12th, with Massa claiming two points in seventh. Both received penalties from the stewards.
British Racing Drivers' Club president Hill, who clinched the 1996 F1 drivers' title at Suzuka, said: "Sunday's race was a lesson, and Lewis learns very quickly.
"He'll look back and think maybe it would've been better to settle into it more and got his rhythm going.
"It's a mark of Lewis's career - he's always been very keen to get the job done and move on, and you need that impatience, but it can sometimes trip you up if you're not wary."
Hill added that Hamilton needed to develop the kind of detachment that helped take Hill's old rival Michael Schumacher seven F1 titles.
"Even Michael had his moments, but you could rest assured that he would usually bring it home," he said.
"He had a very cool head, an ability to detach himself and not let that impatience get the better of him.
"If Lewis keeps a cool head, then he'll be fine. I think he will get the job done."
Hamilton can win the championship in China on Sunday if he scores six more points than Massa
Hamilton hits back at criticism
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 Englishman 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 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
Hamilton also raised eyebrows when he accused title rival Massa of deliberately colliding with him on the second lap in Japan and he 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.
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."
In the space of 18 months, Hamilton has become a global superstar, mixing with stars from the entertainment industry and dating pop singer Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls.
But he said he had not been affected by fame.
"I feel I have that area of my life under control. I don't see myself as a celebrity, I feel I'm the same guy I was before I got to F1 - just more measured, maybe.
"Of course, you do get people watching you all the time so you have to be careful about what you say or what you do.
"It's not easy to live like I used to but I can still do it sometimes; you just do it with people you trust and just be smart about it."
Hamilton can win the championship in China on Sunday if he scores six more points than Massa.
Speaker 'to probe' Blair F1 claim
Commons speaker Michael Martin has said he is "deeply concerned" at claims Tony Blair misled MPs over exempting Formula One from a tobacco advertising ban.
The government has said the decision was not made straight after a 1997 meeting between Mr Blair and F1 owner, the Labour donor Bernie Ecclestone.
But documents suggest the then PM ordered that ministers find a way to create an exemption.
Mr Martin said he would look into two Tory MPs' claims of wrongdoing.
Mr Ecclestone gave a £1m donation to Labour in 1997, which the party later handed back amid negative newspaper coverage.
'Right to truth'
Documents obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act - and reported in newspapers at the weekend - suggest Mr Blair ordered ministers to find a way of exempting F1 from the tobacco advertising ban after the meeting with Mr Ecclestone on 16 October of that year.
But at the time the prime minister denied personal involvement, and appeared on a BBC programme to insist he was a "pretty straight kind of guy".
In the Commons on Monday, Conservative MP John Maples said of Mr Blair: "In his [previous] answer to us, he stated that no decision had been made on October 16th."
He told the speaker: "This House must assert its right to truth from ministers and I wonder... how we can change our rules to achieve this.
"I urge you to give a lead in this so we can insist on full and truthful answers from ministers and a sanction against those who mislead us."
Speaking before the Speaker's comments on the issue, Mr Maples said he was "sorry" to say he believed Mr Blair had misled Parliament.
"From these documents, it is now clear that the decision was made by the Prime Minister on 16th October and the answers he gave to Parliamentary questions were completely and totally misleading," he told the BBC's PM programme.
"This government's habit of using parliamentary questions to mislead or provide half the information started very early in its life."
Parliament had to "come to grips" with holding ministers to account or else it would completely lose its authority, he added.
In the Commons, another Tory, Peter Luff, said: "Can you please... review the rules to make sure that errors of this kind made by former members of this House - probably deliberately - can be corrected."
Mr Martin replied: "I am deeply concerned that two MPs have said they were deliberately misled."
He told the MPs to write to him and added that he would ask his officials to investigate the contents of their letter.
A spokesman for Tony Blair said later: "There is nothing new here. All these issues were known and debated at the time, and the documents released are entirely consistent with his answers at the time."
Canada dropped from F1 calendar
The Canadian Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2009 Formula One calendar and replaced with the inaugural race in Abu Dhabi.
There is now no North American event on the calendar, with the United States Grand Prix being omitted since 2007.
Motorsport's governing body the FIA issued a revised schedule, with Turkey moving from August to 7 June to allow a summer break for the teams.
The new 18-race season will begin on 29 March in Melbourne.
Montreal officials said they had no idea their race was going to be dropped.
"The executives of the Grand Prix of Canada have learned via the media of the omission of the Grand Prix of Canada from the F1 championship 2009 calendar," organisers said in a statement Tuesday, adding they would not comment further until the FIA had been consulted.
Mayor Gerald Tremblay said he would meet with race organiser Normand Legault to discuss options. "We'll see in the coming hours what we can do," confirmed Tremblay.
The loss of Canada means the F1 calendar will stay at 18 races rather than the record-breaking 19 that had been expected for 2009.
The decision not to have a race in North America will cause consternation among the F1 teams.
The continent is a vital market place for the road-car manufacturers who are involved with many of them
French 2009 Grand Prix cancelled
The 2009 French Formula One Grand Prix has been cancelled after the French Motorsports Federation (FFSA) withdrew financing for the event.
Magny-Cours was due to stage the race on 28 June 2009 but France will now not feature on next season's FIA calendar.
"For economic reasons, the FFSA has decided to cancel the (2009) French Grand Prix," said a FFSA statement.
"The FFSA would like to thank all those clients who have supported the event in the last few years."
The FFSA confirmed that all those who had already booked tickets would be reimbursed and apologised for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation.
France has only once been absent - in 1955 - from the F1 calendar since the championship started in 1950.
The FFSA has a contract to run the French Grand Prix until 2011 but F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has long wanted to move it to a track closer to Paris from 2010.
Next year's race had already been billed as the last at Magny-Cours, a circuit in the depths of rural France that has fallen out of favour with teams and sponsors.
Ecclestone had wanted to axe it but agreed to a reprieve and the circuit retained its slot on an 18-round calendar published last week.
That calendar was notable for the absence of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, which had been on an earlier 19-race provisional list.
Poor accommodation facilities and difficult access were regarded as the main weaknesses of the Magny-Cours track.
Disneyland Paris is reportedly a favoured option for a future French Grand Prix, with plenty of hotel rooms and easy rail access from Paris and the rest of Europe.
The FFSA said it was studying six "serious and worthwhile" projects, most of which involved a new track near the French capital.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Hamilton accuses Massa
Lewis Hamilton has accused title rival Felipe Massa of deliberately running into him in the Japanese Grand Prix.
The two men collided as Hamilton tried to pass Massa's Ferrari on the second lap. The Brazilian was handed a drive-through penalty for the incident.
"I took the corner normally and Felipe came back very aggressively and hit me," said Hamilton, whose championship lead was cut by two points to five.
"I think that was pretty much as deliberate as can be."
Massa denied deliberately running into the McLaren, which was tipped into a spin. Hamilton had to wait for the entire field to pass before resuming his race.
"In my opinion it was a racing incident and we both paid a penalty," Massa said.
"For me, he braked too late and pushed me out of the track. I couldn't stop the car as I was in the gravel and I was in the gravel because he pushed me."
And he said he would not be goaded into criticising Hamilton.
"I have a good relationship with Lewis and I will not do anything to destroy it. Definitely not," Massa said.
"I'm not the kind of guy who brings problems on the track to the outside, and I will not change my approach."
Hamilton and Massa's hopes were both hit in the incident-packed race. The McLaren driver, his car damaged in the collision with Massa, failed to score points by finishing 12th, but Massa was only able to score two points for seventh place.
BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica has now joined them in the title fight - with a maximum of 20 points available, the Pole is 12 points behind Hamilton after finishing second behind Renault's Fernando Alonso at Fuji.
Hamilton can win the championship in China on Sunday if he scores six more points than Massa.
The incident between Hamilton and Massa happened on the second lap, when the Englishman was trying to make up ground he lost in an incident at the first corner, which dropped him to sixth
Hamilton dived down the inside into the first, right-handed part of the Turn 10/11 chicane and Massa ran wide. The Ferrari driver had his car fully over the kerbs as he went through the left-handed part and collided with Hamilton's McLaren as he rejoined the track.
"I went up the inside because Felipe braked late and gave me the advantage," Hamilton said.
The 23-year-old was was angry that he received the same penalty as Massa for a different incident at the first corner of the race.
He left his braking too late, locked up his front tyres and slide off the track, taking Raikkonen with him.
Hamilton damaged his front tyres enough in the incident that he would have to have come into the pits anyway, regardless of the subsequent incident with Massa.
He admitted he had made a mistake - but said he did not believe it merited a penalty.
"We (he and Massa) both got the same penalty but I didn't hit anybody - he did. That's just the name of the game, I guess," he said.
"My personal disappointment is the start and the way I'm treated.
"Everyone went wide [at the start] but for some reason I got a penalty for that. I can't understand that
But it doesn't really matter if I agree with it, I can't change it and I just need to keep it together.
"I don't think it makes any difference [to the title race]. We'll move on next week and make sure we win the last two races.
"We plan on winning; not at any cost, but we plan on winning.
"You can wish you did something differently but I made a mistake and I paid for it," said the Englishman, whose lead has been cut to five points.
"It's damage limitation. Forget this race ever happened and move on."
Massa fought his way back to finish in eighth but was later promoted to seventh, after Sebastian Bourdais was penalised for colliding with the Ferrari while racing for position.
The Frenchman's Toro Rosso was on the inside of Turn One having just left the pits. The two cars touched in the centre of the corner as Massa tried to pass on the outside and the Ferrari spun.
Bourdais, demoted from sixth to 10th, was mystified as to why he had been given a penalty.
"What was I supposed to do?" he asked. "Roll out the red carpet?"
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Japanese Grand Prix Photos
Pole-sitter Hamilton is jumped by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen 
David Coulthard's Red Bull crashes into the barrier with suspension damage
Hamilton tries to pass title rival Felipe Massa on the second lap but the two tangle, Hamilton spins and has to go back to the pits
Hamilton and Massa serve drive-through penalties - Hamilton for cutting off Raikkonen and Massa for his collision with the Englishman
Lap 17 and Fernando Alonso moves to the front as race leader Robert Kubica pits. Alonso's Renault team tell him to "sprint like hell"
Massa and Sebastian Bourdais collide at the first corner - an incident that later lands Bourdais a penalty but hands Massa an extra point
After a superb second stint, Alonso takes the chequered flag in Fuji to notch up his second win in a row 
Alonso, who won in Japan in 2006, gets his lips on the trophy again as he celebrates his 21st Grand Prix win in Fuji
I paid for mistake, says Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton admits errors at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix cost him vital points in the title race.
Hamilton ran wide as he attacked the first corner, falling back to sixth, and then spun on the second lap when he was hit by main rival Felipe Massa.
"You can wish you did something differently but I made a mistake and I paid for it," said the Englishman, whose lead has been cut to six points.
"I lost one point today but I guess it's damage limitation."
The result also put a third driver into the title picture - BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica is 12 points behind Hamilton with a maximum of 20 available after finishing second to Renault's Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton had set himself up for a tilt at a second successive victory in Fuji by taking pole position but his ambitions were immediately undone by a dreadful start.
A hesitant getaway saw the McLaren driver caught by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and a risky attempt to claw back his position backfired at the first corner when he ran wide.
After finding himself down in sixth after the opening lap, Hamilton tried to pass Massa's Ferrari but the title rivals made contact as Massa clipped the McLaren's rear wheel and Hamilton was forced back to the pits after spinning
Both drivers were handed drive-through penalties - Hamilton for forcing Raikkonen wide in an attempt to regain his position on lap one and Massa for the incident on the following lap.
Massa fought his way back through to field to finish in eighth, to cut Hamilton's championship lead by a single point, as the Englishman finished in 12th.
Hamilton, who has been on the wrong end of the stewards' decisions this season, hinted he was disappointed to receive yet another penalty but insisted his world championship attempt remains on track.
"We (he and Massa) both got the same penalty but I didn't hit anybody - he did. That's just the name of the game, I guess.
"I don't think it makes any difference [to the title race]. We'll move on next week and make sure we win the last two races.
"We plan on winning; not at any cost, but we plan on winning.
"You've just got to keep your head up and keep going."
Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen said he had seen nothing worth penalising in the incident at the first corner.
"Obviously Kimi got a good start and I think my start was very good as well, Lewis's wasn't quite as good," Kovalainen said.
"Kimi initially jumped Lewis and then I think Lewis was trying to fight back.
"They both went a bit deep and I also went a bit deep. I don't know... I thought it was just a normal first corner."
Alonso wins as title duo collide
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 eighth and cut Hamilton's lead to six points with two races left.
Hamilton, his car damaged by Massa, was 12th and out of the points.
The Englishman is still in a strong position but 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]," Hamilton said.
"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.
I lost one point, which I guess is damage limitation."
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-throughs, the two title rivals ended up at the back of the field - with Massa a few seconds ahead.
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, the Toro Rossos of Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastian Vettel and Massa taking the remaining points positions.
Massa, the fastest man on the track in the closing stages of the race, lost ground with a spin while trying to pass Bourdais but recovered to grab eighth from Red Bull's Mark Webber on the penultimate lap.
Provisional result of Japanese Grand Prix:
1 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault one hour 30 minutes 21.892 seconds
2 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 5.2 seconds behind
3 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari at 6.4secs
4 Nelson Piquet (Brz) Renault at 20.5secs
5 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota at 23.7secs
6 Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at 34.0secs
7 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at 39.2secs
8 Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari at 46.1secs
9 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault at 50.8secs
10 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber at 54.1secs
11 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota at 1:02
12 Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes at 1:18.9secs
13. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda one lap behind
14. Jenson Button (GB) Honda at one lap
15. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota at 1 lap
R Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari 22 laps
R Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes 16 laps
R Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari 8 laps
R Timo Glock (Ger) Force India-Ferrari 6 laps
R David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 0 laps
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