Ferarri Formula One driver Fernando Alonso was sent for a hospital check-up after bouncing over the curbs while battling with Jean-Eric Vergne during the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. Alonso ran wide when he came out from the pits as the Toro Rosso driver pulled alongside. The jolt was hard enough to set off the FIA-mandated g-force alarm, which means a compulsory medical check-up for the driver. Alonso admitted afterwards that he felt some back pain, and after a check at the circuit medical center he went for further investigations at the local hospital. “I still have all the teeth after the bump,” he joked after the race. “And the back is obviously in pain a little bit now. It was a big hit. We have the alarm on the chassis, after a minimum of g-forces there is this alarm on the chassis for big crashes, for the medical car. And the chassis has this alarm now in parc ferme, so for sure it was a big hit. Hopefully I'm OK for Austin and Brazil.” Meanwhile, following an FIA investigation, no action was taken on the incident. Source Fernando Alonso taken to hospital for check-up after heavy curb hit at Abu Dhabi - Autoweek Racing F1 news - Autoweek
I'm happy no action was taken against Alonso. Just hard racing. I wondered if that hurt when he went over the curbs at full chat, guess it did. Hope he makes a speedy recovery.
Anyone else notice the Solar Eclipse during the race broadcast? During the broadcast they showed a long shot of the sun setting. The sun had a small crescent shape missing at the bottom. Knowing there was to be an eclipse yesterday I was wondering if it was partially view-able in Abu Dhabi. Turns out it was. During the broadcast it also sounded like Hobbs was about to mention the eclipse when the pictures were shown. Anyway, here is a picture. I knew I was right!
Had to laugh at Martin Brundle's comment about Massa, "They should have fired him at the start of the season, let him drive like this, and the rehired him again at the end."
Always amazes me how well a driver can perform after being let go...sort of puts a period on why they might have been let go in the first place doesn't it?
I think what this shows is what a lap dog Massa was. Now that he is driving for himself we are seeing the real Massa. It is going to be interesting with Kimi in the Ferrari team, he is no lap dog.
I'm interested to see where Massa lands. If this story is to be believed, the rumors he'll be hired by Lotus are about to be put to rest. Lotus investors to pay Raikkonen, hire Hulkenberg (nbcsports.com)
Did I miss something or is that a guess? Serious question, I've been away and mostly out of touch for a few weeks (haven't even seen a race in a month). Last I heard Massa was in talks with Williams.
Just a guess Steve why the rollie eyes, if Lotus's gain is Sauber's loss, that would seem to be the seat open that Massa might get... PS: Hope things are OK, glad your back!!
Massa will end up in a team that needs all the money he brings from Brazil. Bernie will make sure of that.
Trouble is, Massa says he won't race for a "small" team. Williams needs the money...wonder whether Massa has more to bring than Maldonado.
Maldonado might have some trouble getting his hands on Venezuelan money. There is a bit of a kerfuffle about Motorsport funding and corruption. I know...go figure! Venezuela investigates sports stars in big currency scam | Reuters
Massa is good at development work. With the changes for 2014 and his Brazilian money along with Benie's "make em off they can't refuse" tactics... I'm just saying, he's going to end up someplace. I think a mid-pack team. No way he gets a top team ride.
Maybe so but looking at Ferrari this year, I'm not too impressed with his development skills, depending on how much input he was able to express there... And Williams is so out of sorts, not sure he is the good fit there right now.... Hope Massa does well where ever he ends up, but not sure he still has the consistency in him like a Kimi to bring along a struggling team..
What does 0.009 seconds look like? Side by side of Button and Vettel at Japan where they were on 0.009 seconds apart for a lap. LiveLeak.com - What does 0.009 of a second look like
Interesting opinion here from Massa, but the real take-away for me was remembering who Massa's teammates have been during his time at Ferrari. Though he may have looked a bit on the slow side most of the time, in F1 that judgement is always relative to your teammate and his, at Ferrari, have been Schumacher, Raikkonen and Alonso. Massa might not be a top pick for a top tier team, but he might be an excellent choice for a mid-pack team. Maybe. Especially a mid-pack team short on sponsorships and cash. Massa: Alonso better than Schumacher (GPUpdate.net)
Poppy cock...they are both good but Michael helped lead Ferrari back to the top from a third-fourth place team at the time he arrived.... Ferrari is no better now than when Alonso arrived for whatever reason....like and respect Alonso but facts are facts. Remember that Massa's opinion is just that.