Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying

Philippines
August 4, 2007 8:53am CST
So, I've just finished watching the qualifying session of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Unfortunately, my favorite team, Ferrari, didn't even make the top 3 in the starting grid. Kimi got bumped to 4th at the last miniute by Heidfeld, and Massa got relegated during the 2nd round! Tsk, tsk, there really was something so wrong with their cars this weekend. I hope they'd get it fixed for tomorrow's race. But enough of that...Did anybody else see it? Did you see the drama Ron Dennis displayed when Alonso grabbed pole position from Hamilton? I was personally baffled by his apparent reaction. It's not like Alonso was from another team, right? Not that I'm a big fan of Maclaren Mercedes, but I just found it strange. What are your thoughts on this?
1 response
Aghorri
@Aghorri (86)
• United States
5 Aug 07
It turned out to be very complicated but, basically, Hamilton was asked to let Alonso ahead in the third qualifying session - it was part of McLaren's strategy - but Hamilton refused. To pay him back, Alonso waited longer than he had to in the last pit stop, preventing Hamilton coming in to change his tyres. As a result, there was no time left for Hamilton to get one more qualifying lap. It was essentially a problem between team mates and should have been sorted out by the team, but the stewards insisted on getting involved and handed out penalties to McLaren and Alonso. The result you will no doubt have seen on television. ;)
girlclothes
@girlclothes (45)
• Philippines
21 Aug 07
Thanks Aghorri! Though I know that this comment is long overdue -- I've been away -- but I try to make a point of responding to comments on discussons i've started so here I am... Anyway, yeah, I did see the result of the investigation the following day, on race day, which infuriated me even more because it was Alonso who got penalized instead of Hamilton, when it was Hamilton's fault that got him in that situation in the first place. Even though FIA penalized the team as well, personally I think Alonso's penalty raised more eyebrows. Oh well, that's over and done with...but thanks again for the comment! c",)