[Teutone]

Who was ahead in the first corner?
Even though he had the outside line, a peed off looking Alonso insists on having been ahead of Massa.
I can't wait for the in depth race analysis.

 

[Teutone]

Massa narrowly missed out on failing to finish himself following a first corner incident with Alonso that culminated in a post-race war of words between the duo.

In front of a 140,000 home crowd, second on the grid Alonso tried to overtake pole-man Massa around the outside going into turn one.

The Spaniard cut in, only for the two to touch, with Alonso taking a run onto the gravel that relegated him to fourth.

Massa claims he had the inside line; Alonso that he was ahead; in the end it was a messy squabble.

"When you are fighting for the championship, it's very risky to be so aggressive in the first corner," said a disgruntled Alonso.

"If you look at my car, the sidepod and rear have been touched.

"That shows everybody who arrived first into the corner. I was more than half a car in front."

That brought a dismissive shake of the head from Massa, and a wry smile as he countered: "I was inside, so I don't understand his point.

"As long as I am inside, I will stay there. I won't move. If anybody was aggressive, it was Fernando, not me.

"If I am wrong, then I am the first to say I have made a mistake.

"But this time don't tell me I've made a mistake. Come on, this is racing, Formula One, the first corner.

"So when I make a mistake I'll be the first to say. Don't worry."

 

[rothmans18]

ah it was a fair fight i thought....alonso is ranting cos he lost out...he was ahead going into the corner but massa had the inside line...i suppose massa could
've gave him room but maybe there was no grip and he had to drift into alonso...but it's bullshit how alonso said he was ahead, so what? there's no rule that says if u're first into the corner that corner is yours? if it was the other way round it'd be massa that's ranting...actually i thought it was wrong and dangerous of alonso to just steer back onto the track...he nearly took himself and kimi out! i think hamilton's sucess is having a big effect on him...

 

[Teutone]

Sounded a bit like whining to me too.

 

[SSL]

Who was ahead in the first corner?
Even though he had the outside line, a peed off looking Alonso insists on having been ahead of Massa.
I can't wait for the in depth race analysis.

I think most commentators agree that this was a racing incident and that both Massa and Alonso were lucky to get away with the coming together. My sympathies lie with Massa. He had the inside line and was entitled to defend it.

After what happened in Maylasia he would have been crucified had he backed off and my guess is that he did not need Michael to tell him that the race would be won or lost at turn one.

Alonso on the other hand had to take that gamble. It looked like his fuel strategy was similar to Massa`s so he had to get in front of the Brazilian to stand any chance of winning. We have seen that if they get in front the Ferraris have the edge on pace but they don`t work so well in the dirty air. Furthermore Massa is a good driver but not quite so good a racer. If he gets in front with a clear track he`s gone. Stick him behind cars he doesn`t do as well taking longer than he should to overtake or getting frustrated and making mistakes.

Quite apart from this Alonso is experiencing something new to him.... consistent and unrelenting pressure from his team-mate and for the second race weekend in a row Hamilton comprehensively out-performed him. This allowed the rookie to have the better race strategy heaping further pressure on Alonso to make that first corner move stick.

It didn`t and nearly ended with his actions taken all four of the front runners out!

Really looking forward to the Monaco GP. Apparently neither Alonso nor Massa is that good around it whilst Hamilton has never lost a race there. Probably the weekend where he makes his first big mistake!

 

[Astin]

I think the corner was Massas. He had and used the right to defend his position.

Alonso had to have a go though and Massa knew it. This is the first time we have seen Massa risk the house in fighting for a position. Clearly Schueys coaching has sunk in a bit.

Perhaps Alonsos comments after the race were more about deflecting the attention of the race stewards - trying to create some doubt in their mind as to whos corner it was. Maybe he was worried about the possibility of some penalty.

 

[phoenix44]

Sounded a bit like whining to me too.

I like Alonso, but I have to say, he does whine alot! No matter you view of M.S. he never whined!

 

[Astin]

I like Alonso, but I have to say, he does whine alot! No matter you view of M.S. he never whined!

I agree!