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Formula One
F1: Grand Prix News Briefs (Update 5)
New technology and human error resulted in Felipe Massa's head-start not being noticed in Belgium two weeks ago...
SPEED Staff / GMM  |  Posted September 11, 2010   GMM Newswire
Felipe Massa says he received a signal from the marshal that nothing was wrong with his start at Spa. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
New FIA System, Marshal To Blame For Massa Mistake: A new transponder system and a wayward marshal are to blame for Felipe Massa's Spa head-start not being noticed in Belgium two weeks ago. The Brazilian driver explained at Monza that he did not realize he had overshot his grid box because he sits so low in the cockpit of his Ferrari. But why the FIA's technology, and observers at the side of the track, did not notice the error is currently the subject of an investigation. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the automatic jump-start detection system in 2010 is new. The transponder reacts more sensitively than the old one, meaning that false starts can be detected even when the driver is located too far to the left or the right of the center of the starting box. But the glitch in the system is that, because the sensors are so strong, the car and track transponders can locate one another even when – as in Massa's case – the car is positioned too far forward. Previously, the sensors would not locate one another, and Charlie Whiting would receive an alarm on the starter gantry that a driver is out of place. But the back-up system is a human one, with marshals standing beside the track holding a sign with the driver's grid number. "I looked at the marshal next to the grid. He put his sign down which to me is the signal that everything is right," Massa said. Countryman Rubens Barrichello said he noticed on the grid that Massa was getting a head-start. "I knew he had missed his box, but what do I do?" said the veteran.

Rome GP Will Hurt Monza Says Circuit Director: A director of the Monza circuit has reacted angrily to Friday's news that Rome will begin hosting a F1 race in 2012 or 2013. The contract was reportedly signed at the famous Autodromo Nazionale di Monza by Bernie Ecclestone on Friday, guaranteeing at least five street races if an agreement can be found with the authorities of the Italian capital's EUR district. "Where once it was difficult to find sponsors, now it will be impossible," Monza director Enrico Ferrari is quoted by La Stampa newspaper. "The big companies have a budget, so if today they were giving us 100, tomorrow they will give us 50 and Rome 50." Previously, Monza and another Italian venue - Imola - shared an annual presence on the F1 calendar, but Ferrari insists that times have changed. "Take the example of Spain: Barcelona has been in crisis because of Valencia. The old Catalan race lost 9 million euros in 2010. All of Europe is in distress with F1. Germany has abandoned having two races and Spa-Francorchamps were 8,000 spectators down compared with last year."

Whitmarsh Not Expecting Flexi Sagas At Monza: The flexible wing saga will not be a loud topic during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Martin Whitmarsh has predicted. New flexible floor tests for the Monza event required minor car modifications up and down pitlane, and when discussing flexing wings during Friday's FIA press conference, a minor spat broke out between technical bosses for the Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren teams. But McLaren team boss Whitmarsh said the issue should not be a problem. "I haven't seen anything suspicious," the Briton is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "But it is true we have been concentrating more on our own program. I know the FIA did some tests after (Friday) practice and I hope that the subject is not a big problem this weekend."
VIDEO: Virtual Lap Italian GP Take a virtual tour of the track in Monza, Italy. (Image: SPEED)

Bulgarian Minister Meets Ecclestone At Monza: Bulgaria demonstrated it is serious about joining the F1 calendar by sending a senior government minister to the Italian GP. A scandal erupted recently after reports said an Abu Dhabi company was going to fund a F1 track for the southeast European country. The Abu Dhabi interests reacted angrily, declaring the announcement incorrect and inaccurate and vowing to cancel all its Bulgarian investments. But according to the Sofia news agency Novinite, Bulgarian economy minister Traicho Traikov was trackside on Saturday at Italy's Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. He reportedly met with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, about Bulgaria hosting a future round of the World Championship. Ecclestone "voiced interest in that idea and committed to visit Bulgaria in the coming weeks to familiarize himself with details of the project," said the report.

Lotus To Announce 2011 Lineup In Singapore - Report: Lotus could be set to announce its 2011 driver lineup on the verge of the Singapore GP in two weeks. Finland's Turun Sanomat reported earlier from Monza that Heikki Kovalainen has penned a deal for next year, and that it is likely to be an extended stay with the new Malaysian-owned team. The same source is now reporting that Jarno Trulli is also set to stay with Lotus, while the announcement of a switch from Cosworth to Renault engine power is also imminent. Team boss Tony Fernandes, trackside at Monza this weekend, would not confirm the news other than to say he is happy with GP winners Kovalainen and Trulli. Kovalainen has been linked with a return to his former team Renault, but Turun Sanomat said the Enstone based team is now likely to keep Vitaly Petrov next year.

Senna Expecting To Keep HRT Seat For Now: Bruno Senna at Monza said he is expecting to keep his race seat at HRT for the rest of the 2010 season. The Brazilian sat out the British GP in July in deference to the highly-sponsored Sakon Yamamoto, but after returning at Hockenheim insisted he will finish the season with the struggling Spanish team. But Yamamoto, now replacing earlier HRT regular Karun Chandhok, said recently that while he is staying put in 2010, he is not sure whether Senna or Chandhok will be in the sister car. "I am assuming I will be in the car until the last race," Senna said. "I have a firm place all the way to Abu Dhabi." But beyond that, he admitted his place for the 2011 season is not yet secure. "I would like it to be in the bag, but that's not the case," said the 26-year-old. "Hopefully I can find a place soon. All I can do is my best, as I have done, and hope it's good enough to continue in Formula One." He also said he is refusing to look on the negative side of HRT's situation, with a lack of finances meaning the F110 is not being developed. "It's not really ideal but I'm making the best of it," Senna said. "That's the only way to be in this situation. If I look at it negatively, I'll lose motivation. I need to be doing my best for whoever will hire me (for 2011)."


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