HHF to replace Massa at Indy?

[F1Babe 0]

From F1Factor.co.uk

Peter Sauber has confirmed his desire to promote 2003 pilot Heinz-Harald Frentzen to the racing seat at next weekend's United States Grand Prix.

'The decision of the Stewards of the Meeting in Monza to relegate Felipe by ten grid positions at the Indy race forced us to think about alternatives,' explained team boss Peter Sauber.

'This verdict would be a major setback in our quest to defend our position in the Constructors' Championship.

'Only the test in Silverstone will finally show whether Heinz-Harald will be able to drive competitively in this seating position. All further decisions will depend on the outcome of the test drive.'

Heinz-Harald Frentzen walked into the Swiss team's Hinwil headquarters yesterday afternoon and had a moulded seat fitted for the Thursday test appearance. 'Peter Sauber phoned on Monday and informed me about the new situation,' Heinz-Harald said. 'I would be very happy if I could already drive for Sauber in Indianapolis.'

'In case the results of this test will be satisfying, I could possibly drive the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis on 29 September alongside Nick Heidfeld,' the German adds.

[daz 0]

Very likely to happen I would say. Especially considering that this would be an excellent way for Sauber to avoid incurring Massa's penalty at Indianapolis.

On that topic - Does anybody know what happens with the penalty if Massa doesn't compete at Indy (I.e. Does the penalty still apply until it is eventually taken at a race by him or will it just fall away?).

[F1Babe 0]

Massa's penalty only applies for Indy, if he comes back for Japan he can qualify where ever.

All Peter Sauber wants to do is get Massa off his hands asap. He's not renewed his contract for next year so at least let him finish off the racing season.

So he maybe in last position iin Indy, but look at Jarno Trulli, he went from last to 4th at Monza, at least give Massa a chance.

[nichosnz 0]

I suppose having to miss a race is, for the driver, a bigger penalty than going down 10 places.

It is also good that the penaly applies to Massa not the number 8 car, as it was Massa not Sauber that caused to accident. It was initally feared that this would be the case.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

True Massa will be able to qualify normally at Suzuka, but I have a feeling that he wont get the chance at Indy because Sauber still thinks that they can catch Renault for fourth.

[nichosnz 0]

Not likely with 2 races to go unless they are ahead of Renault in both races and get help from both Ferrari drivers. Inter-team-team-orders it has been done before, hasn't it McLaren and Williams.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Mclaren and Williams are the most known, but Minardi and Ferrari have also had something going in the past I believe. Minardi slowing down opponents when being lapped and so forth..

[nichosnz 0]

I beleive is the key words there, lots of people including Ferrari fans have thought that, but it cannot really be proven one way or the other. Another example is McLaren and Williams contracted drivers in other teams have appeared to do similar things to the Minardi slowing you have refered to. Particularly noticable was Zonta.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Well they never admit to it, but sometimes you can just tell.

[nichosnz 0]

The teams would notice it as well as the fans so would have to consider that as best they can. Like with pitting once within window if nearing a 'questionable' car.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Well team orders can be carried out very stealthily, not in the clear manner as Austria was. Have on of the mechanics drop the wheel at the pitstop or something of the sort.

[nichosnz 0]

That is team orders with your team, a lower order team 'spoiling' a lap or two of a rival is not that easy to carry out.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

At Suzuka 2000 Ferrari attempted and succeeded at getting Barrichello to be right in front of Hakkinen as Mika came out of the pits, allowing Schumi to take over the lead right there and then.

[nichosnz 0]

Mind you all teams will try almost anything to win.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Especially when a WDC is up for grabs. I expect if Minardi were in a chance to win a race theyd shoot the competitors if they had to!!

ps. wouldnt help for the Schumacher brothers, their Schuberth helmets are bulletproof!

[nichosnz 0]

They could (repeditively) aim for the tyres though.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Haha, there was a rumour going around that someone had been paid in 1999 to shoot out Hakkinen's tyre so Irvine would win the championship.

[nichosnz 0]

What is the point of a rumor like that, if his tyres had been shot out or a spectator was arrested for carrying a weapon then maybe, but this didn't happen so the rumor is redundant.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

As a matter of fact a man was held in prison for a few days for having possesion of a gun near the track on race day, but was released on bail as there was no evidence against him. He held a valid license for owning the gun.

[nichosnz 0]

They couldn't hold him, so he was just near the circuit. He could have been held if he was trying to enter.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Very true, but luckily nothing happened. It would be completely absurd if a championship was decided by such an outside factor, though the idiot on track at Hockenheim did help at that.

[nichosnz 0]

It may have helped but it didn't make all the difference there were other factors.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

True, the deciding factor that was that the Ferrari engine was more reliable than the Mercedes.

[nichosnz 0]

As it has been since.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I dont know how Ferrari achieve all that reliability. The last time I remember their engine blowing is with Barrichello at Brazil, though Massa's engine did let go at Belgium.