From GMM
Vitaly Petrov will move five places down the inaugural Korean GP grid in two weeks. Lewis Hamilton hopes avoiding another five places grip penalty.
FIA stewards decided to penalise the Russian rookie for crashing into Williams' Nico Hulkenberg before the first corner of Sunday's Japanese race at Suzuka.
Nico Hulkenberg had a bad start and was passed by the Renault, who hit the German's front wheel by turning back onto the racing line too soon.
Vitaly Petrov argued that he moved too soon to avoid Nick Heidfeld, but the stewards announced that he had "caused a collision".
Also investigated by the stewards at Suzuka was Felipe Massa's first corner crash, when he lost control on the inside grass and took out the Force India of Vitantonio Liuzzi.
"He seemed to come into my side like a bullet. I don't think he was in control of the car at the time," said Tonio Liuzzi.
The FIA officials, however, took no action.
On its end, McLaren is confident it can avoid Lewis Hamilton receiving a grid penalty for the forthcoming Korean grand prix.
The Briton moved five places down the Suzuka grid due to an unscheduled gearbox change before qualifying, and he finished the Japanese race without third gear that further dented his fading championship hopes.
"I didn't think the car would make it -- it was making a lot of strange noises," said Lewis Hamilton, who finished in fifth place.
Initial analysis of the latest gearbox problem by the team in the Suzuka garage is a dog-ring failure.
Said team boss Martin Whitmarsh: "We're confident it can be resolved for Korea without incurring a five-place grid penalty. For the final three races, we've got to make sure we have 100 per cent reliability. We'll keep on pushing and developing this car. There's no reason why we can't be fighting for the championship in Abu Dhabi."
Vitaly Petrov will move five places down the inaugural Korean GP grid in two weeks. Lewis Hamilton hopes avoiding another five places grip penalty.
FIA stewards decided to penalise the Russian rookie for crashing into Williams' Nico Hulkenberg before the first corner of Sunday's Japanese race at Suzuka.
Nico Hulkenberg had a bad start and was passed by the Renault, who hit the German's front wheel by turning back onto the racing line too soon.
Vitaly Petrov argued that he moved too soon to avoid Nick Heidfeld, but the stewards announced that he had "caused a collision".
Also investigated by the stewards at Suzuka was Felipe Massa's first corner crash, when he lost control on the inside grass and took out the Force India of Vitantonio Liuzzi.
"He seemed to come into my side like a bullet. I don't think he was in control of the car at the time," said Tonio Liuzzi.
The FIA officials, however, took no action.
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| Start of the Japanese grand prix 2010 - image f1.com |
On its end, McLaren is confident it can avoid Lewis Hamilton receiving a grid penalty for the forthcoming Korean grand prix.
The Briton moved five places down the Suzuka grid due to an unscheduled gearbox change before qualifying, and he finished the Japanese race without third gear that further dented his fading championship hopes.
"I didn't think the car would make it -- it was making a lot of strange noises," said Lewis Hamilton, who finished in fifth place.
Initial analysis of the latest gearbox problem by the team in the Suzuka garage is a dog-ring failure.
Said team boss Martin Whitmarsh: "We're confident it can be resolved for Korea without incurring a five-place grid penalty. For the final three races, we've got to make sure we have 100 per cent reliability. We'll keep on pushing and developing this car. There's no reason why we can't be fighting for the championship in Abu Dhabi."