Formula One News — September 2008

You have to laugh sometimes in Grand Prix racing. Pretty much everyone was delighted to see Sebastian Vettel win the Italian GP. It is always nice to have a new winner and Vettel is a popular guy. He's naturally funny and not in the least bit precious.

The FIA has awarded the tender to supply chassis and engines for the new FIA Formula 2 Championship to Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision company. MSV will become the promoter of the series in addition to operating all of the cars.

The News of the World newspaper may not be popular reading in FIA circles, but it does seem to have developed more of an interest in Formula 1 as a result of the Mosley Scandal and is now hot in pursuit of Belgian Grand Prix steward Surinder Thatthi, claiming that the Tanzanian, who represents Kenya on the FIA World Motor Sport Council, fixed the results of the 2007 Safari Rally.

The news at Monza that Kimi Raikkonen will stay with Ferrari for another two seasons came as a surprise in Monza, given the Finn's poor performances this year.

There are discussions going on with the aim of taking Formula 1 to a purpose-built racing circuit near Palm Springs.

Italian GP - Race Notes

Italian GP - Sunday Photos

Italian GP - Sunday Press Conference

Italian GP - Sunday Team Quotes

Italian GP - Race Incidents

Italian GP - Race Results

There will be a Safety Car start at Monza as there is light rain falling as the cars go to the grid.

There are some who think that Formula 1 would benefit from the tracks being sprayed with water at random moments. They are probably right. Whether that turns the sport into a circus is another argument but if entertainment is the only criterion then qualifying at Monza was a good example of what can happen.

Italian GP - Saturday Photos

Italian GP - Saturday Press Conference

Italian GP - Saturday Team Quotes

Italian GP - Qualifying Results

The rains returned to Monza on Saturday morning to disrupt the morning session, leaving teams with little real idea of what to do for qualifying and having to guess set-ups for the race. The times were pretty meaningless again as the rains increased before everyone had gone for a fast time.

Italian GP - Practice 3 Results

Kimi Raikkonen's future at Ferrari is secure and to celebrate the announcement of another two years to come, the Finn set the fastest time of the second session on Friday at Monza. He was chased by Robert Kubica in his BMW Sauber and Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren-Mercedes.

Italian GP - Friday Photos

Italian GP - Friday Press Conference

Italian GP - Friday Team Quotes

Italian GP - Practice 2 Results