Chinese Grand Prix: News Round-Up

I have decided to compile a quick round up of the events that have happened after the Japanese GP and before the Chinese Grand Prix.

So much has been said and done this week, so I'll try to round up the big news you have probably already read about, and the small news you may have not.

1. Lewis Hamilton needs to stay cool.

Ron Dennis, Sir Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill, and a few others have been critical of Lewis Hamilton's mistakes at Fuji last week. This came after Lewis attempted to out-brake Kimi Raikkonen into turn one, and forced Kimi off the track. Lewis didn't get away with it, and was later handed a drive through penalty. 

2. Felipe Massa blames everyone but himself.

Felipe Massa took advantage of the first corner blunder, quickly passing Kimi, Lewis and Heikki. His work was undone by a mistake, which has been branded as deliberate, into the chicane on lap two.

Massa left the track, take to the grass and hit Lewis Hamilton, spinning the Mclaren into oncoming traffic. Massa was also handed the same penalty as LH.

Massa was also involved in another incident, in which saw him hit Bourdais, who was leaving the pits. Most thought Massa would have to serve another drive through after seeing the incident, however the FIA decided it would be better to look at the footage after the race. They duly penalized Bourdais, promoting Massa into seventh.

3. Alonso proves to be a reliable witness.

In the post-race Fuji press conference, Alonso was asked if Lewis Hamilton's penalty was deserved. Alonso quickly answered with a "Yes." However just a day later he was asked the same question by a Spanish newspaper, Alonso said "I don't know what he did, but it's good he's punished anyway." Well done Fernando.

4. Alonso openly states he will help Massa if needed.

Alonso threw Lewis Hamilton another blow in his title bid this week, stating he would happily help Massa if needed. Lewis and Fernando don't have the best relationship, but my god did it get worse this week. 

Then it happened again, at the Chinese press conference Alonso yet again stated he would help Massa in his title bid, this time in front of Hamilton himself. This could backfire for Alonso, as the FIA would have to take action against him if anything "dodgy" did happen to retire the Mclaren of Hamilton.

5. Lewis Hamilton becomes the bigger, less arrogant man for once.

In the Chinese press conference, after Alonso's childish digs at Lewis. Lewis decided to be the bigger man, and said "I don't particularly have an opinion on it." He then went on to congratulate the Renault team for the work they have done this season. That showed Mr. Bushy Eyebrows didn't it.

6. Nick Heidfeld states that Lewis still needs to learn a few things.

Heidfeld said Lewis has not learned from his mistakes in the final few races of the 2007 season, and is still making rash decisions. This has been backed up by a few drivers and team bosses. Is the weight of leading the championship in the penultimate race going to get to LH again?

7. Stewards are plain crazy.

I'm not going to dwell on either Hamilton's or Massa's penalties, but this does involve Massa. After the race in Fuji, Webber was summoned to the stewards to be questioned about the Massa overtake, which saw the Ferrari fully leave the track to make the pass. This being the FIA, it was not Massa's move under the spotlight; it was Webber's instead. 

The stewards revealed that the move was actually under investigation, and that Webber was in the wrong, apparently forcing Massa off the track, much like Hamiltons first corner dive. No action was taken.

8. Permanent stewards have been called for yet again.

After Spa, a number of people called for permanent stewards, something I agree with. Fresh new calls have been made, by fresh new faces. Alonso and Heidfeld have both decided its time for silly penalties to stop.

Heidfeld was critical of LH penalty, and Bourdais in Fuji, stating that both were unfair, and the moves did not warrant such a decision. He was not so critical of Massas move on Hamilton, which he said was ' acceptable, but arguable.'

Alonso said he just wants some consistency in the rulings, and that an ex-driver would make a great addition to the 3 current stewards who have no racing experience.

9. Abu Dhabi releases new pictures.

Abu Dhabi organizers have released some new pictures (artist's impressions) of the new middle-eastern track. Click here to see the pictures.

10. Au Revoir Magny Cours.

It looks like Magny Cours is going to be dropped from the 2009 calendar after organizers said it wouldn't work in the current economic crisis. They have also stated that it will return for 2010, but at a new circuit. That's new as in another existing circuit, not a brand new built from scratch.

This now leaves the 2009 calendar one race short. Would this possibly give Canada another chance to shine?

Well' that's the news from the week so far, I'm sure there well be even more over the coming weeks as the season draws to an exciting close.