Times
01 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:43.939 18 laps
02 J. Button Brawn GP 1:44.035 20 laps
03 S. Vettel Red Bull 1:44.153 28 laps
04 R. Barrichello Brawn GP 1:44.207 23 laps
05 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:44.667 23 laps
06 S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:44.687 32 laps
07 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:44.688 14 laps
08 M. Webber Red Bull 1:44.805 25 laps
09 J. Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:44.955 33 laps
10 J. Trulli Toyota 1:44.958 25 laps
11 R. Kubica BMW 1:44.988 22 laps
12 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:45.123 20 laps
13 N. Rosberg Williams 1:45.649 27 laps
14 K. Nakajima Williams 1:45.679 25 laps
15 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:45.704 27 laps
16 F. Alonso Renault 1:45.865 23 laps
17 V. Liuzzi Force India F1 1:46.022 22 laps
18 G. Fisichella Ferrari 1:46.267 26 laps
19 K. Kobayashi Toyota 1:46.364 28 laps
20 R. Grosjean Renault 1:46.411 27 laps

Times
01 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:41.307 35 laps
02 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:41.501 34 laps
03 J. Button Brawn GP 1:41.541 39 laps
04 S. Vettel Red Bull 1:41.591 37 laps
05 K. Kobayashi Toyota 1:41.636 34 laps
06 S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:41.683 37 laps
07 M. Webber Red Bull 1:41.684 34 laps
08 R. Barrichello Brawn GP 1:41.831 38 laps
09 N. Rosberg Williams 1:41.931 39 laps
10 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:41.987 39 laps
11 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:42.180 28 laps
12 K. Nakajima Williams 1:42.245 36 laps
13 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:42.278 36 laps
14 J. Trulli Toyota 1:42.409 30 laps
15 V. Liuzzi Force India F1 1:42.530 33 laps
16 F. Alonso Renault 1:42.782 29 laps
17 G. Fisichella Ferrari 1:42.932 37 laps
18 R. Grosjean Renault 1:43.021 37 laps
19 J. Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:43.022 39 laps
20 R. Kubica BMW 1:43.708 13 laps

Image (c) Bridgestone Corporation

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Rubens takes his first victory for 5 years as McLaren falter as Raikkonen shines with another podium position.

Report to follow…

Race Results
01 R. Barrichello Brawn GP 1:35:51.289
02 L. Hamilton McLaren + 2.358
03 K. Räikkönen Ferrari + 15.994
04 H. Kovalainen McLaren + 20.032
05 N. Rosberg Williams + 20.870
06 F. Alonso Renault + 27.744
07 J. Button Brawn GP + 34.913
08 R. Kubica BMW + 36.667
09 M. Webber Red Bull + 44.910
10 A. Sutil Force India F1 + 47.935
11 N. Heidfeld BMW + 48.822
12 G. Fisichella Force India F1 + 1:03.614
13 J. Trulli Toyota + 1:04.527
14 T. Glock Toyota + 1:26.519
15 R. Grosjean Renault + 1:31.774
16 J. Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1 lap(s)
17 L. Badoer Ferrari + 1 lap(s)
Did not finish
18 K. Nakajima Williams + 3 lap(s)
19 S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso + 16 lap(s)
20 S. Vettel Red Bull + 34 lap(s)

Image (c) Bridgestone Corporation

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24 July, Hungaroring, Hungary

Bridgestone Motorsport’s Friday Update

Bridgestone’s super soft tyre proved to be the fastest rubber on the tight and twisty Hungaroring circuit for the first day of the Hungarian Grand Prix. In hot weather conditions, Lewis Hamilton set the day’s fastest lap time, a 1min 22.079secs, in his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes during the afternoon

practice session. Heikki Kovalainen (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) was the fastest driver in the morning practice session, using the soft compound to set a time of 1min 22.278secs. Conditions were hot all day and the track reached a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius during the afternoon session.

Q&A with Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development

What was significant about today’s running?

“Today was all about track improvement and finding set-up. As we would expect here in Hungary, the track surface developed a lot over the course of the day, as the surface was cleaned and rubber was laid. Temperatures were hot so we did see a lot of heat generated in the tyres, especially when cars

were heavy and sliding on the slippery surface. Interestingly, we did not see as much graining as we would normally expect here. Lap times were close with a second covering the top 17 cars in the afternoon.”

How do you expect this allocation to work over the weekend?

“Some drivers told us today that they didn’t have enough grip with the soft compound, however past experience shows us that the circuit improves a lot so we don’t expect it to be an issue on Sunday. Both compounds worked well, so the team who can find the best set-up for qualifying and then the

race will do well. This is more difficult than usual as the track develops so much here. How much track improvement we see, and the temperatures we experience on race day will help determine the race strategy. I think we are set for a very interesting weekend.”

Image (c) Bridgestone Corporation

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Press Release

World Motor Sport Council - Decision 

01/05/2009 

Re: Article 151(c) and 152 International Sporting Code – Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
29 April 2009

The World Motor Sport Council (“WMSC”) met on 29th April 2009 to consider a charge that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes (“McLaren”), a competitor in the FIA Formula One World Championship, had breached Article 151(c) of the International Sporting Code (“ISC”), which prohibits “any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally”. 
1 Background

1.1 During the closing laps of the 2009 Australian Grand Prix, an incident occurred which required that the safety car be deployed.  At the time of deployment, driver No. 1 Lewis Hamilton (for McLaren) was placed fourth and driver No. 9 Jarno Trulli (for Panasonic Toyota Racing (“Toyota”)) was placed third.

1.2 While running behind the safety car, Trulli left the track and Hamilton passed to take third place.  Hamilton subsequently moved off the racing line to the right of the track and Trulli repassed, taking back third place.

1.3 Article 40.7 of the 2009 Formula One Sporting Regulations sets out the rules governing overtaking while running behind the safety car.  Article 40.7 reads, in relevant part, as follows: “All competing cars must […] reduce speed and form up in line behind the safety car no more than ten car lengths apart and overtaking, with the following exceptions, is forbidden until the cars reach the Line after the safety car has returned to the pits. Overtaking will be permitted under the following circumstances: […] - .

1.4 In light of Article 40.7 and the fact that Hamilton and Trulli had passed each other while running behind the safety car, the matter was referred to the Stewards of the Meeting (“Stewards”) by the FIA Race Director.  As part of their investigation of the incident, the Stewards summoned Trulli and Hamilton and their respective team managers to a hearing on 29th March 2009 at which the FIA Race Director was also present (“29th March Hearing”).

1.5 At the 29th March Hearing, the Stewards and the Race Director asked questions regarding Trulli’s passing of Hamilton.  Trulli stated that Hamilton had moved off the racing line to the right of the track and had begun to travel very slowly.  As a result, Trulli pulled up alongside Hamilton to see whether Hamilton would wave him through.  There being no response, Trulli proceeded to pass Hamilton. 

1.6 Hamilton was asked by the Stewards why he had moved off his line and whether there was a problem with his car.  He informed the Stewards that there were no problems with his car and that he had drifted right because he was checking his lap time and was concerned that his tyres were cold.  Hamilton was then asked whether he had consciously let Trulli pass.  He said “no”.  He was asked if he had been told to let Trulli through, at which point his Team Manager, Dave Ryan, interjected and answered “no”.  There were further exchanges, with the Stewards posing similar questions but Hamilton and his Team Manager were clear in their insistence that Hamilton had not slowed down and had not let Trulli through. 

1.7 The Stewards considered the evidence, including the McLaren representatives’ statements, and issued a decision, penalising Trulli for overtaking while behind the safety car in breach of Article 40.7 and imposing a drive-through penalty.  Since the race was already finished, the drive-through penalty was converted into a penalty of 25 seconds to be added to Trulli’s elapsed race time.  As a result of the penalty, Trulli was demoted from third place to twelfth place and Hamilton was moved from fourth place to third place. 

1.8 From the release of the aforementioned decision until the reconvening of the Stewards in Malaysia on 2nd April 2009, no McLaren representative contacted the FIA, its Race Director or the Stewards in relation to that decision.  During this time, the official result of the Australian Grand Prix was understood to be that Hamilton had been placed third and that Trulli had been placed twelfth.

1.9 Late on Sunday evening, after the official result had been published, it came to the attention of the Chairman of the Stewards and the FIA Race Director that there existed a press interview given by Hamilton in which he stated that he had been told by McLaren to let Trulli pass.  Based on this information, a recording of the pit-to-car radio exchanges between Hamilton and McLaren was retrieved and examined by the Stewards and the FIA Race Director.  Having been informed by Hamilton that Trulli had left the track and that Hamilton had passed to take third position, the team instructed Hamilton as follows:

“Lewis, you need to allow the Toyota through.  Allow the Toyota through now.”

1.10 Hamilton responded: “OK.” 

1.11 Having listened to the press interview and the pit-to-car radio exchanges, the Stewards reconvened on Thursday 2nd April 2009 in Malaysia (“2nd April Hearing”) where Hamilton and Trulli and their respective team managers were interviewed again.  Trulli confirmed his statement from the 29th March Hearing (see section 1.5). 

1.12 Hamilton and his Team Manager were played recordings of the press interview and the pit-to-car radio exchanges evidencing that Hamilton had been instructed to let Trulli pass and had done so.  Notwithstanding the clear content of the recordings, Hamilton and his Team Manager reconfirmed their statements that Hamilton had not consciously let Trulli pass and that McLaren had not instructed Hamilton to let Trulli pass.  The Race Director and the Stewards then gave Hamilton and his Team Manager a further opportunity to correct the statements they had made at the 29th March Hearing.  They declined to do so. 

1.13 The Stewards found McLaren’s explanations inadequate and concluded that – at the 29th March Hearing – there had been a deliberate and successful attempt to mislead the Stewards.  This had led to Hamilton being moved incorrectly from fourth to third and to Trulli being unfairly penalised.

1.14 The Stewards therefore issued new decisions – Decisions Nos. 76 and 77 – respectively excluding Hamilton and McLaren from the race classification for the Australian Grand Prix and reinstating Trulli and Toyota in third place.

1.15 In comments to the press immediately after the release of Decisions Nos. 76 and 77, the McLaren Team Principal stated that McLaren stood by the representations made to the Stewards by Hamilton and his Team Manager. 

1.16 Hamilton held a press conference on 3rd April 2009 at the Malaysia Grand Prix.  In that press conference, Hamilton reversed the position he had taken at the 29th March Hearing and the 2nd April Hearing, apologised to the Stewards, the FIA and the public for having provided misleading information to the Stewards on both occasions, but pointed out that, during both hearings, he had been acting under instructions from his team.    Subsequently, the McLaren Team Principal also apologised and announced the suspension of the McLaren Team Manager.

1.17 The FIA Observer presented to the FIA President on 7th April 2009 a report titled: “Report of the Hamilton/Trulli incident during the 2009 Australian Formula One Grand Prix and subsequent issues” (“FIA Observer’s Report”), outlining the above facts. 

1.18 In response, the FIA decided to summon McLaren before the WMSC to answer charges that, in breach of Article 151(c) ISC, it:

 (a) on 29th March 2009, told the Stewards of the Australian Grand Prix that no instructions were given to Hamilton to allow Trulli to pass when both cars were behind the safety car, knowing this statement to be untrue;

 (b) procured its driver Hamilton, the current World Champion, to support and confirm this untrue statement to the Stewards;

 (c) although knowing that as a direct result of its untrue statement to the Stewards, another driver and a rival team had been unfairly penalised, made no attempt to rectify the situation either by contacting the FIA or otherwise;

 (d) on 2nd April 2009, before the Stewards of the Australian Grand Prix (meeting in Malaysia), made no attempt to correct the untrue statement of 29th March but, on the contrary, continued to maintain that the statement was true, despite being allowed to listen to a recording of the team instructing Hamilton to let Trulli pass and despite being given more than one opportunity to correct its false statement; and

 (e) on 2nd April 2009, before the Stewards, procured its driver Hamilton to continue to assert the truth of the false statement given to the Stewards on 29th March, while knowing that what he was saying to the Stewards was not true.

1.19 In its written response to these charges, McLaren accepted that, both at and between the 29th March Hearing and the 2nd April Hearing, McLaren had acted in breach of Article 151(c) ISC.  McLaren’s Team Principal expressed McLaren’s, and his personal, unreserved apology to the WMSC, the Stewards, the FIA and Formula One competitors and fans.  In addition, in a separate letter to WMSC members, the McLaren Team Principal admitted that McLaren’s conduct regarding these matters was “wholly unacceptable” and expressed his sincere apologies. 

1.20 At the WMSC meeting on 29th April 2009, the McLaren Team Principal again admitted that McLaren had been in breach of Article 151(c) ISC and offered representations for the purposes of mitigation (see section 2.7).                

2 WMSC’s Assessment

2.1 The WMSC has carefully considered the FIA Observer’s Report, McLaren’s written submissions of 14th April 2009 and its representations in mitigation at the WMSC meeting on 29th April 2009.  The material facts of the case, being the deliberate and successful attempt to mislead the Stewards at the 29th March Hearing and the failure, when confronted with incontrovertible evidence at the 2nd April Hearing, to correct the position adopted, are not in dispute.  In addition, McLaren has admitted that its conduct amounted to a breach of Article 151(c) ISC.   
 
2.2 Under Article 152 ISC, seventh paragraph, the WMSC: “may, upon the proposal and report of the FIA observer […] directly inflict a penalty which will take the place of any penalty which the stewards of the meeting may have pronounced”.
2.3 The WMSC considers that McLaren’s course of conduct as set out in section 1 of this Decision amounted to a serious breach of Article 151(c).  By making deliberately misleading representations to the Stewards, and then failing to correct those misleading representations, McLaren gained illegitimate advantage and caused the unfair imposition of a penalty upon a fellow competitor.  The WMSC wishes to emphasise that it finds this latter element particularly reprehensible. 
2.4 In addition, by its course of conduct, McLaren has brought the sport into disrepute. The WMSC considers – and McLaren has accepted – that sole responsibility cannot lie with the Team Manager who misled the Stewards and who procured Hamilton to do likewise.  Rather, the course of conduct occurred over such a period of time that the WMSC finds that McLaren’s management either were aware or should have been aware that the Stewards had been misled. 
2.5 In light of the foregoing, the WMSC considers that pursuant to Article 151(c) and 152 ISC, seventh paragraph, the Stewards’ Decision No. 76, which excluded Hamilton and McLaren from the race classification for the 2009 Australian Grand Prix, should be replaced with this Decision, which imposes a more severe penalty.
2.6 In short, the WMSC considers that the penalty must be of a magnitude that reflects accurately the severity of the offence and effectively deters McLaren – and other competitors in the FIA Formula One World Championship – from deliberately misleading the Stewards in the future.  However, the penalty imposed must also take into account other relevant factors.
2.7 In determining the sanction to be imposed on McLaren, the WMSC considered a number of factors presented by McLaren in mitigation.  These factors (together, “Mitigating Factors”) included the following:

• (a)  that the McLaren Team Principal admitted all material facts, including the making of deliberately misleading statements to the Stewards and the subsequent failure to correct such misleading representations;
   
• (b)  that the McLaren Team Principal accepted in written submissions that McLaren’s course of conduct in the matter had been unacceptable and offered an unreserved apology both personally, and on behalf of McLaren, to all affected parties;
   
• (c)  that the McLaren Team Principal has assured members of the WMSC that there has been a change in culture within McLaren and that the course of conduct – or similar – will not be repeated;
   
• (d)  that, on realising his mistakes, Hamilton held a press conference at which he apologised for his actions; and
   
• (e)  that McLaren promptly suspended, and subsequently terminated the employment of, its Team Manager, who misled the Stewards and who procured that Hamilton did likewise.
   

2.8 However, in addition to considering the existence of Mitigating Factors, the WMSC also considered whether there were aggravating factors suggesting that the level of any penalty should be increased.  In this instance, the WMSC recalls that McLaren has recently breached Article 151(c) of the International Sporting Code (see Decision of the WMSC 13 September 2007).

2.9 Recidivism is a strong indicator that the sanction previously imposed was not sufficiently deterrent and recidivism is thus a circumstance which may justify an increase in the severity of the penalty which might otherwise be imposed.  The purpose of taking recidivism into account in setting a penalty is to induce teams which have demonstrated a tendency towards infringing the rules in the past to change their conduct in the future.  The WMSC therefore also takes into account, as an aggravating factor, McLaren’s 2007 breach of Article 151(c) ISC.  

3 Decision

 
3.1 The WMSC finds Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in breach of Article 151(c) ISC in relation to each of the five counts identified in the FIA’s summons to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, reproduced at 1.18 (a) to (e) above. 

3.2 Pursuant to Article 151(c) ISC and 152 ISC, seventh paragraph, the WMSC therefore replaces the sanction imposed by Decision No. 76 of the Stewards with the following:
(a)  the exclusion of the driver Lewis Hamilton and the competitor Vodafone McLaren Mercedes from the race classification for the 2009 Australian Grand Prix; and
(b)  the suspension of the competitor Vodafone McLaren Mercedes from three rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
Exceptionally, and in light in part of the Mitigating Factors (including the open and honest way in which the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal addressed the WMSC and the change in culture which he made clear had taken place), penalty (b) shall be suspended for twelve months from the date of this Decision.  In the event that, during the period of suspension of penalty (b), either: (i) further facts emerge that are relevant to the WMSC’s assessment of the gravity of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ breach; or (ii) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes commits a further breach of Article 151(c), the WMSC may implement penalty (b) in relation to the breach set out in this Decision.  
3.3 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is reminded of its right of appeal.  In the event that an appeal is lodged with the FIA International Court of Appeal, the effect of this Decision will not be suspended pending the outcome of that appeal.

Source- FIA

Image (c) Bridgestone Corporation

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Usual service seems to have resumed from the last race with the recently cleared ‘double decker’ diffuser teams still ending fastest of the day along with the Red Bulls.

Hamilton however also looks in with a shot in qualifying tomorrow as he’s cars new diffuser seems to have given him some much needed additional speed. The Brit finished the first free practice on top.

Rosberg took that role in FP2, continuing with his impressive Friday form. Kimi Raikkonen however looks to have another tough weekend ahead of him, with his KERS less car proving as slow and challenging we all feared it would be. He finished the day fourteenth overall.

It looks like tomorrow will be a close at the front in Q3 - lets just hope the Kimster makes it through to the top ten shot out to be in with a chance of a much needed points finish on Sunday.

Free Practice 1
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:37.334 + 22
2. Button Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1:37.450 + 0.116 18
3. Barrichello Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1:37.566 + 0.232 19
4. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:37.672 + 0.338 23
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:37.752 + 0.418 20
6. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:37.764 + 0.430 19
7. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:37.860 + 0.526 24
8. Glock Toyota (B) 1:37.894 + 0.560 21
9. Alonso Renault (B) 1:38.089 + 0.755 19
10. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:38.195 + 0.861 24
11. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:38.223 + 0.889 23
12. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:38.274 + 0.940 20
13. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:38.307 + 0.973 26
14. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:38.319 + 0.985 18
15. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:38.418 + 1.084 20
16. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:38.456 + 1.122 21
17. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:38.460 + 1.126 19
18. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:38.463 + 1.129 18
19. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:38.730 + 1.396 25
20. Piquet Renault (B) 1:38.825 + 1.491 20

Free Practice 2
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:35.679 35
2. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:35.704 + 0.025 36
3. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:35.881 + 0.202 35
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.105 + 0.426 32
5. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.167 + 0.488 22
6. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:36.217 + 0.538 42
7. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.377 + 0.698 32
8. Glock Toyota (B) 1:36.548 + 0.869 40
9. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.674 + 0.995 34
10. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.800 + 1.121 34
11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:36.829 + 1.150 30
12. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:36.847 + 1.168 34
13. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.941 + 1.262 28
14. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:37.054 + 1.375 33
15. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:37.219 + 1.540 34
16. Piquet Renault (B) 1:37.273 + 1.594 36
17. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:37.491 + 1.812 34
18. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:37.544 + 1.865 28
19. Alonso Renault (B) 1:37.638 + 1.959 28
20. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:37.750 + 2.071 31

All Timing Unofficial

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The FIA has released the following statement:

“Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has been invited to appear before an extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday, 29 April, 2009, to answer charges that, in breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, it

- on 29 March, 2009, told the stewards of the Australian Grand Prix that no instructions were given to Hamilton in Car No. 1 to allow Trulli in Car no. 9 to pass when both cars were behind the safety car, knowing this statement to be untrue; 

- procured its driver Hamilton the current World Champion, to support and confirm this untrue statement to the stewards; 

- although knowing that as a direct result of its untrue statement to the stewards, another driver and a rival team had been unfairly penalised, made no attempt to rectify the situation either by contacting the FIA or otherwise; 

- on 2 April, 2009, at a second hearing before the stewards of the Australian Grand Prix, (meeting in Malaysia) made no attempt to correct the untrue statement of 29 March but, on the contrary, continued to maintain that the statement was true, despite being allowed to listen to a recording of the team instructing Hamilton to let Trulli past and despite being given more than one opportunity to correct its false statement;

- on 2 April, 2009, at the second stewards’ hearing, procured its driver Hamilton to continue to assert the truth of the false statement given to the stewards on 29 March, while knowing that what he was saying to the stewards was not true.”

In response, McLaren issued the following press release:
“McLaren acknowledges receipt of an invitation to appear at an FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris on April 29, received this afternoon. We undertake to co-operate fully with all WMSC processes, and welcome the opportunity to work with the FIA in the best interests of Formula 1. 

“This afternoon McLaren and its former sporting director, Dave Ryan, have formally parted company. As a result, he is no longer an employee of any of the constituent companies of the McLaren Group.”

Source - F1’s official website

Press Release

Stewards Decision - Australian GP 

02/04/2009 

PENALTY IMPOSED ON DRIVER NO 1 LEWIS HAMILTON AND COMPETITOR VODAFONE MCLAREN MERCEDES

SUMMARY OF KEY CONSIDERATIONS

At the first hearing following the Australian Grand Prix the Stewards did not have the benefit of the radio exchanges between driver No 1 Lewis Hamilton and his Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes nor did they have access to the comments to the Media given by Lewis Hamilton immediately after the end of the race.

From the video recordings available to the Stewards during the hearing it appeared that Jarno Trulli’s car left the track and car No 1 moved into third place. It then appeared that Trulli overtook Hamilton to regain third place, which at the time was prohibited as it was during the Safety Car period.

During the hearing, held approximately one hour after the end of the race, the Stewards and the Race Director questioned Lewis Hamilton and his Team Manager David Ryan specifically about whether there had been an instruction given to Hamilton to allow Trulli to overtake. Both the driver and the Team Manager stated that no such instruction had been given. The Race Director specifically asked Hamilton whether he had consciously allowed Trulli to overtake. Hamilton insisted that he had not done so. 

The new elements presented to the Stewards several days after the 2009 Australian Grand Prix which led to the reconvened Stewards Meeting clearly show that:

a.    Immediately after the race and before Lewis Hamilton attended the Stewards Meeting he gave an interview to the Media where he clearly stated that the Team had told him to let Trulli pass.

b.    Furthermore, the radio exchanges between the driver and the Team contain two explicit orders from the Team to let the Toyota pass.

The Stewards, having learned about the radio exchanges and the Media interview, felt strongly that they had been misled by the driver and his Team Manager which led to Jarno Trulli being unfairly penalised and Lewis Hamilton gaining third place.

Source & audio available at FIA

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The GoKimi team were once again lucky enough to be part of the annual Team McLaren Members Pre British GP Test at Silverstone. Here’s our report of the days events and some photographs too.

After weeks of build up, excitement and planning our day began with an early start –leaving the house at 6:30am. After picking up the rest of the family on the way, we arrived at the circuit at 8:30am, parked up and prepared ourselves to enter the paddock for breakfast. The IMC (International Media Centre) above the McLaren & Renault garages was definitely the best hospitality suite that Team McLaren have used for this event. This became clear at once as we passed the door to the podium on our way upstairs, never mind when we saw the view over the pit lane out of the huge glass windows (those Journalists are so lucky!!!) and the area where the drivers do the press conferences. Later on we realised we could also access the winners room too!

After a hearty breakfast and a catch up with Steph and some of the ‘early Bird’ arrivals from the TMM forum – we headed out for a quick walk around the paddock. Not much was happening and most drivers were in their trucks, the garage or on track after an early start too! so we decided to enjoy the views from the centre of the circuit at Bridge & the Luffield Complex, taking some photographs of the cars on track.

We all eagerly awaiting our first sight of the new McLaren’s in their chrome livery and it seemed forever before one was on track (although it was only about 20 minutes in reality!). The Mclarens looked awesome in the flesh! We were in awe as Kimi flew past us and we tried to capture as many photos and video footage possible. The only problem was Kimi was too quick for me most of the time that I couldn’t keep up with him on the video camera!!!

Due to there only being one week of testing at Silverstone for a lot of the British based teams this year – on returning to the paddock, it soon became apparent that today would also be one of the busiest test days we’d been to but not just in the paddock either. The grandstands that were open around the circuit were being to fill up already! It was way to busy to get close to any of the drivers without a fight – so as we’d already met a lot of them before and done the whole autograph hunting thing we decided to make the most of the day by soaking up the paddock atmosphere. After all its not everyday you find yourself so close to the heart of the action.

It was great just seeing the drivers and teams at work. My highlights of the day were watching both Juan & Kimi drive right past us (going out from the garage onto the circuit and coming in again) while we stood in the garage next to them. It was so incredible it brought tears to my eyes and gave me goose bumps! We got some great close up video footage, which we can now watch over and over to remind us of just how close we got!

Another was of course being part of the unveiling of the Team McLaren Supporters flag (organised by some of our loyal forum members), which will be officially launched at the British GP. It was great to get a sneak peek of the finished product and be there one the day Steph managed to get Kimi, Juan & Gary to christen it by being the first to sign it. We even got to have our photo taken with it in front of garage with Juan in the car watching us with his cheeky smiling eyes!!!

But my favourite and most amusing moment of the day, unsurprisingly involved the Kimster himself and luckily it was shared by a few of my fellow TM friends so I know I wasn’t dreaming. During the morning we found out that Kimi was in fact in the back of one of the team trucks – so a few of us waited patiently hoping he’d come out and we’d catch a glimpse. Sure enough out he came and he started to walk towards the door at the back of the garage. So I called out to him “Kimi! Hello!”, which made him jump, turn around to see us all and then walk into the door! OOOps how embarrassing! Realising what he’d done, Kimi looked back at us again with a cheeky grin and a very pink face – awwww bless! That moment really brought the famous F1 star back down to earth with a bang!

Thanks again to Steph, Mark and the team for being wonderful as always and my fellow Team McLaren Members who made the day very special and one to remember. Roll on the British GP so we can meet up again and see those beautiful silver arrows in action on track once more!!!

Jemela Durrant -GoKimi Team

GoKimi team members were lucky enough to win a Team Mclaren members competition to visit the team in the paddock at Silverstone on the Thursday before the GP. Here is an insight into what they saw….

What was it like being a visitor to the F1 paddock & the Team Communications Centre during a GP weekend?

It was absolutely amazing and like a dream come true! I’m sure you’ll laugh but to me it was all about the silly details that perhaps only a fan would understand. Like having a paddock pass round my neck, going through the turnstiles as drivers & team personnel do it all the time & even more exciting seeing the drivers at home and relaxed in their own environment.

As a Team Mclaren member, I have been to many test events at Silverstone before and was lucky enough to have a garage tour at Indy this year but this was so different and much more special. By then end of the afternoon I really felt like part of the team.

How did you get here?

Its funny you should ask that as Juan Pablo wondered the same thing! I am a regular visitor to the TM members section on the website and saw the competition posted on forum during my lunch break. I called up straight away to put Jake, Theo & my name in the draw. With so many members going to our home GP, I couldn’t believe it when our names were picked out! I was so excited that I couldn’t concentrate at work all week!

What have you been up to this afternoon?

Where to I start – it’s been incredible! We met up at the circuits main entrance with the other Team Mclaren members who’d won the competition, some of which we knew from the forum already. Everyone was so excited and nervous so it was great to catch up and share our 2005 experiences so far. We then got picked up from the entrance in a Team Mclaren Mercedes mini bus and dropped off at the paddock entrance, collected our paddock passes and walked through the paddock, straight to the Communications Centre. Walking past Juan and Kimi on the way in made the experience even more surreal!

We were welcomed with a champagne reception & delicious Absolute Taste canapés by the lovely Mclaren Marketing team. We were introduced to both drivers as they took part in a question & answer session and also met journalist Bob McKenzie who was looking forward to his naked run of Silverstone circuit on race day!

We were then given a tour of the garages and had the opportunity to watch the race mechanics hard at work setting the cars up for the weekend, get more of an insight into the teams GP weekend and take plenty of photos too! We also had a tour of the pitlane, to see what the other teams were up to and then it was back the Communications Centre for more champagne, conversation & a prize draw! It was non stop for the whole 2 hours – wonderful!

What was it like being face to face with you favourite drivers?

It was amazing, especially as I ended up right at the front and literally ‘face to face’ with both Juan & Kimi so it was like they were talking to me personally! It was great to see them more relaxed & open knowing they were talking to their fans rather then the press. I don’ t think it really sunk in until they had left and we all had a chat about the experience with the other Team Mclaren Members.

What insights into drivers & team did you gain?

It was great to talk with race team personnel and know a little bit more about the team and how each of the drivers work together. For example Kimi’s race engineer explained that Juan Pablo likes to talk all the time on the radio & Kimi hardly ever does, only wanting the vital information as he relies more on what he sees himself on track & on the circuit ‘big screen’ - which was very interesting.

What was the biggest surprise of the day?

Well strangely that is really easy to answer! While waiting at the main entrance, we spotted Pedro de La Rosa parking up in hire car. He was waiting for a lift into the circuit, so we thought we’d go over and say hello. He was very friendly & stopped to chat, sign our Racing Line & pose for a photo.

What are your overall thoughts of the experience?

It was absolutely amazing and I would like to thank all of the Mclaren and Team Mclaren staff who organised or took part in the event, the accommodating race mechanics and of course the drivers for waiting around to meet us and make the day so special. I really can’t wait to see the photos!!!

Courtesy of Jemela Durrant @ gokimi.com

This is my diary of Kimi Raikkonen’s fantastic first year at McLaren. Being the on-board camera for Kimi Raikkonen I really have had a birds eye view of his best year to date. I will now rewind my videotape and give you my best bits of 2002.

Sunday 3rd March 2002

I was on! I couldn’t wait ‘till the start. Kimi pulled up behind Ralf after the formation lap. This was it 2002 season here we go! I was very nervous with memories of my fellow on-board cameras smashing to smithereens at turn one! I had the best view in the house, right on the top of Kimi’s car! 

Looking down I could see the distinctive blue and white helmet of the ice cool Finn. In front the hot engines waiting for the red lights. The red lights started and I shook from the high revs, and the tension! All the lights were on and then off we went!!! On the run-down to turn one cars jostled for position – I didn’t know what to focus on, everything was moving so quickly! 

Shaking around – I tried to keep steady and focussed. The G-Force was incredible and my lens was taking so much pressure – smoke, flies, and dirt flew past me at an incredible rate. Then Ralf clipped the back of Rubens and flew through the air - what an explosive start to the season! I knew from that moment that i’d see some great motor racing throughout the year!

It was amazing!

Australia was a proud moment for me – Kimi secured a podium place – the first of his career! It was a wonderful weekend for Kimi – and one of many to come….

Sunday 17th March 2002

A hot moment in Malaysia when Kimi’s engine blew on the last corner of the track ending his race. 

Sunday 31st March 2002

Travelling over to Brazil took ages, but it was worth the trip - the atmosphere was electric. The Renaults were particularly strong, but Kimi managed to outbrake Jenson at the first corner on lap 40. I heard cheers from the crowd as we passed! It was a great move. Kimi was on course for 4th place when suddenly I heard a noise from behind me and we flew off the track bumping up and down – I really thought I was history and that we were going to roll – when we came to a standstill. I was still in one piece. I could see Kimi clamber out in front of me – only three laps to go!

Its nice to be back in Europe – it feels more like home and obviously less tiring. A few bad races made me a bit depressed and a scary moment on the first corner at Catalunya.

Sunday 26th May 2002

It was time for Monaco – a Grand Prix that I love! It all feels so close its like I have a zoom lens (now I know what a telescope feels like!). Although the race was disappointing with Rubens driving into the back of Kimi – putting us out of the race!

Sunday 7th July 2002

Another podium at the Nürburgring cheered us all up and gave us huge confidence going to Silverstone. 

Sunday 7th July 2002

It was a typical British grey day. Kimi was so fast and made an incredible move on Ralf going into Copse. The end was an engine failure on lap 45.

Sunday 21st July 2002

I always enjoy the French Grand Prix because the track is so smooth – not so much shuddering around than the other tracks. This was to be Kimi’s best and worst race of his career… I knew is pace was good from the free practice and qualifying. The race proved it – Kimi was on fire! We were leading a Grand Prix – I wanted to shut my eyes and open them to see the chequered flag – but of course I couldn’t! The last few laps and Kimi is on the run down to the Adelaide hairpin with Schumacher on our tail – unable to pass. We could see some yellow flags as we approached the corner. Then all of a sudden we slipped wide on a slither of oil. Kimi kept control and managed to negotiate the tight corner – as we came back onto the racing line Michael was there barging us onto the gavel – and took the lead! We couldn’t believe it – we were dumbfounded – as was everyone else watching… This was a sad moment for Kimi who worked so hard to produce the best race of his career – only for it to be spoiled by a red Ferrari. Still it was second place and plenty of admiration from everyone who watched. For me it was a great day – for the first time I was shooting footage from the front of the race. 

I am convinced it will be something that I will get used to.

Saturday 1st September 2002

Qualifying for the Belgian grand Prix was the best experience I have ever had. Kimi was awesome and ultra committed through Eau Rouge and at the tricky double left hander! We started another qualifying lap – breaking hard into the first corner, hugging the apex – I could see camera men leaning across the barrier to photograph Kimi taking the corner. As we flew out of Eau Rouge I spotted a plume of smoke from a blown engine – Kimi kept the power on and charged through – I couldn’t see a thing, my lens was covered in oil. I was so scared! Then all of a sudden the smoke was gone – Kimi, who didn’t lift was on course for a fantastic lap. The crowning moments of that afternoon’s effort was Kimi’s highest grid spot alongside Michael, and of course my footage – without a doubt some of the best F1 camera footage ever recorded. It was played over and over again on the television coverage – I was the talk of the town amongst the other on-boards!

Sunday 15th September 2002

Lap 30 engine failure!

Sunday 29th September 2002

Engine failure lap 50, although Kimi did some stonking laps on 9 cylinders!

Sunday 13 October 2002

Another podium in Suzuka to round off an amazing year for Kimi Raikkonen – He will be a world champion – I can’t wait!

Well what a year! – I hope that you enjoyed my memories – I’ve managed to secure a contract to be Kimi’s on-board again for 2003….I hope you’ll enjoy my footage!