Nick Heidfeld has been given a three-place grid drop for the start of today's Singapore Grand Prix, for blocking Rubens Barrichello on entering the pits.
The BMW Sauber driver was demoted from sixth to ninth after Singapore stewards claimed he had impeded Barrichello in yesterday's first qualifying session.
The pit lane entry has attracted much criticism from drivers and fans because of the fact that it gives drivers who are about to pit little option but to use the racing line at the apex of the corner. Still, the stewards judged that Heidfeld was at fault and handed on the grid drop.
Barrichello was also handed a fine of 10,000 euro for diving into the pits after aborting his lap without using the "deceleration zone" located before the pit gateway. Ironically, it was the same piece of racetrack Heidfeld had been occupying and had been given a grid-drop for doing so.
In my opinion, the stewards at Singapore would rather hand out fines and grid-drops than face up to the fact that this track still has some flaws.
Why wouldn't it have? It's the first time it has been raced on and was constructed in just 18 months. They need to have a look at some of these flaws, as they are dangerous and could result in injury.
The revised starting grid for today's race looks like this:
1. MASSA Ferrari
2. HAMILTON McLaren
3. RAIKKONEN Ferrari
4. KUBICA BMW
5. KOVALAINEN McLaren
6. VETTEL Toro Rosso
7. GLOCK Toyota
8. ROSBERG Williams
9. HEIDFELD* BMW
10. NAKAJIMA Williams
11. TRULLI Toyota
12. BUTTON Honda
13. WEBBER Red Bull
14. COULTHARD Red Bull
15. ALONSO Renault
16. PIQUET Renault
17. BOURDAIS Toro Rosso
18. BARRICHELLO Honda
19. SUTIL Force India
20. FISICHELLA Force India
As always, your opinions are valued and I'd love to hear your take on this issue. Drop me a line in comments.
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