From GMM
Ferrari sporting boss Stefano Domenicali has defended claims that pit stop problems at the European Grand Prix in Valencia prove the team should abandon its unique practice of no longer using a 'lollipop man' at races.
The Italian outfit has for some time relied on a novel system of lights, where key mechanics press buttons when eventually the driver is shown the 'green' and speeds off.
But on Sunday, not only was race winner Felipe Massa controversially released into the path of another car following a pit stop, teammate Kimi Raikkonen jumped his green light during the refuelling process and injured a mechanic.
To tackle the Massa situation, however, Domenicali told reporters after the race that one mechanic's job is to delay the shining of the green light if it is unsafe for the driver to pull away.
And the Italian also denied claims that Raikkonen got confused due to the lack of a physical 'lollipop' in his path.
"When there is a red light, it's a red light; it's like the lollipop is down," Domenicali said.
photo:WRI2
Ferrari sporting boss Stefano Domenicali has defended claims that pit stop problems at the European Grand Prix in Valencia prove the team should abandon its unique practice of no longer using a 'lollipop man' at races.
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| Raikkonen's pit stop problems in Valencia. |
The Italian outfit has for some time relied on a novel system of lights, where key mechanics press buttons when eventually the driver is shown the 'green' and speeds off.
But on Sunday, not only was race winner Felipe Massa controversially released into the path of another car following a pit stop, teammate Kimi Raikkonen jumped his green light during the refuelling process and injured a mechanic.
To tackle the Massa situation, however, Domenicali told reporters after the race that one mechanic's job is to delay the shining of the green light if it is unsafe for the driver to pull away.
And the Italian also denied claims that Raikkonen got confused due to the lack of a physical 'lollipop' in his path.
"When there is a red light, it's a red light; it's like the lollipop is down," Domenicali said.
photo:WRI2