HUNGARORING - BUDAPEST - HUNGARY Grand Prix 2009 - Race 10/17

utajoker · 25 Jul 2009 at 15:34

is alonso running kers?

Memphis · 25 Jul 2009 at 15:43

utajoker · 25 Jul 2009 at 15:45

then..

hamilton to lead by first corner

deuse · 25 Jul 2009 at 15:46

What the hell happend to button?

Glad to see Masa is ok and I hope he drives in the race.

alex24 · 25 Jul 2009 at 15:51

Very close quali today, wasn't it!

Massa was really lucky to not come off worse, though you can't help but think what could have been happening at the time, scary stuff, I hope he recovers quickly.

Very strange moments too with Alonso asking all the drivers what their times were, classic stuff that I won't forget for a long time! Funny that he was so confident according to EJ and pulled it off, gotta admire the guy, he really is still first rate. I think he's probably the best driver in F1 since MS left, you might not agree but just my opinion.

Looking forward to a close, exciting race tomorrow.

robbiemc · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:02

Button only had one lap to post a time, as the team were checking the car for any suspension defects.

dannyjo22 · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:07

Bah Button again to lose points to the red bulls

Pace didn't look stunning in the heat either.

Bigsy · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:20

Button could be heavy which wouldnt be a bad tactic as chances are Alonso/Hamilton are going to hold the pack up for the first stint, still 8th is not good.

matthew2456 · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:22

Who is ferrari's test / backup driver?

They have confirmed massa will not race.

englishpremier · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:22

If Massa doesn't race can Ferrari just throw their 3rd driver in for the race?

I'm sure they can't (don't know why), but it would be better than starting the race with 1 less car.

Psycho Ned · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:25

Don't think Ferrari can use a 3rd driver now, would imagine he would have had to have been in place before qualifying.

Would be a hell of an ask as well for a guy who hasn't driven 1 lap in an F1 car all weekend to turn up and drive in the race! Not even a morning warmup any more for them to practice.

Marc Gene is their backup I think but he won't be able to race.

Memphis · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:28

The test/reserve driver would not be able to race as he has not qualified. I'm sure there are also other regulations that would restrict changing drivers between sessions.

realscot · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:32

Who is the test/reserve driver? Badoer? Schumacher??!
It's a shame that it won't happen, but how awesome would it be to see MS back in F1, even if it was just for one race.

Wicksta · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:34

I don't know how true it is but people on the Autosport forum are pointing to links saying that Massa has been put into a coma, and also someone else saying he has a cracked skull.

Hopefully he will be fine, his 'confusion' reminds me a bit of Richard Hammonds head injury though, which would see him out of the cockpit for quite a while.

EDIT:
http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=112574&view=findpost&p=3762103

"Ferrari confirms crack in skull, operation needed. And concussion as well. "

Memphis · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:38

There is a quote on F1-Live from Barrichello saying "they had to make him sleep as he was agitated", which could simply mean he was sedated. Again, speculation is pointless and achieves nothing.

Without knowing 'exactly' what injuries he has suffered, it's impossible to say when he will return, but with a 4 week break between this weekend and the next race it's possible he might only miss this round.

EDIT - Just seen Wicksta's edit

.

Duke · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:41

What a weird qually! Nasty accident with Massa, timings all going wrong, Alonso on pole, KERs McLarens up there too and Brawns way down :eek:

Stormrider · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:41

James Allen's reporting that Massa was heavily sedated as well.
His blog seems inaccessible at the moment though:
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2009/07/massa-out-of-gp-but-lucky-to-be-alive/

edit:

Massa out of GP but lucky to be alive
from JA on F1 by James Allen

Felipe Massa will not race tomorrow in the Hungarian Grand Prix after he suffered a heavy accident having been hit in the head by a spring, from Rubens Barrichello’s car.

Massa was travelling at around 175mph on the run down to Turn 4 when a spring from the Brawn’s rear suspension bounced up and hit him on the helmet, ripping one corner of his visor off and cutting Massa’a eye.

The Brazilian remained conscious but had to be heavily sedated and was sent off for examination at the Budapest central Hospital.

I’ve spoken to someone who has held the spring in question and it is around five inches long, coiled metal and quite heavy. Massa is incredibly lucky to have survived an impact like that with only light injuries.

The incident comes less than a week after Henry Surtees was struck on the head by a wheel and killed at Brands Hatch in a Formula 2 race and the mood in the F1 paddock is quite sombre at the moment.

Mr Jack · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:42

Wicksta said:
I don't know how true it is but people on the Autosport forum are pointing to links saying that Massa has been put into a coma, and also someone else saying he has a cracked skull.

Hmm... the latest from The Scuderia twitter says "Ferrari reporting that Felipe Massa is fine but being given precautionary checks in hospital, no apparent long term damage done".

Duke · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:47

Who will race for them tomorrow in his place? Luca Badoer? I can't remember the other test driver.

edit: looks like they can't replace him

@gasheadsteve Ferrari won't be allowed to replace Massa for tomorrow's race. Any driver change must be made before qualy

Mr Jack · 25 Jul 2009 at 16:47

Duke said:
Who will race for them tomorrow in his place? Luca Badoer? I can't remember the other test driver.

I don't believe they can introduce a new driver after Qualifying.

(edit)

Yeah

Teams may use up to four drivers during a season, all of whom may score points in the championship. A driver change may be made with the permission of the stewards any time before the start of qualifying. The new driver must use the engine and tyres allocated to the original driver.

19) CHANGES OF DRIVER
19.1 a) During a season each team will be permitted to use four drivers. Changes may be made at any time before the start of the qualifying practice session provided any change proposed after 16.00 on the day of scrutineering receives the consent of the stewards.
Additional changes for reasons of force majeure will be considered separately.
Any new driver may score points in the Championship.
b) In addition to the above each team will be permitted to run additional drivers during P1 and P2 provided :
- the stewards are informed which cars and drivers each team intends to use in each session before the end of initial scrutineering, changes after this time may only be made with the consent of the stewards ;
- no more than two drivers are used in any one session ;
- they carry the race number of the nominated driver they replace ;
- they are in possession of a Super Licence.
c) If one of the team's nominated drivers is unable to drive at some stage after the end of initial scrutineering, and the stewards consent to a change of driver, the replacement driver must use the engine, gearbox and tyres which were allocated to the original driver (see Articles 25.3 and 28.4).

Although 19.1c might offer a chance with Steward's approval. Can't see them granting it though?