Webber: Botched pit stop could cost Massa the title

FELIPE MASSA

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Friday 3rd October 2008

Mark Webber reckons Ferrari's botched pit stop in Singapore may have cost Felipe Massa the World title.

Leaving the pits after his first stop of the evening in F1's inaugural night race, Massa was given the all-clear by Ferrari's new pit stop lighting system.

However, the team hadn't yet detached the fuel hose from his car and the Brazilian drove off, knocking down a mechanic and with the hose still attached.

The result was that Massa, who had been leading prior to the pit stop, dropped all the way down to the back of the field, eventually finishing well outside the points while his title rival Lewis Hamilton completed the podium.

Now with three races left Hamilton holds a seven-point advantage over Massa, which Red Bull racer Webber reckons may be too big for the Brazilian to claw back.

"I would have said Ferrari and Felipe Massa were the favourites until Singapore, but their futuristic pit stop exit system ruined his race and it could have cost them the Championship, and maybe the Constructors' title as well," Webber said in his BBC column.

"Seven points is a good chunk to be ahead with 30 to go, so Lewis Hamilton's in a good position. He might do it.

"But it could still go any way. A non-score would be extremely painful. That's what's just happened to Felipe. If Lewis has another one then it's game back on."

Your Comments

bud_bud

"he should be 13 ahead! ;) Massa should count his lucky stars for his great win at Spa"

galengrassi

"Naturally the current points system is off the mark, because Ferrari are now losing."

finolait

"I'd say hold it there. Why is everyone repeating that it is game over for Ferrari just because the screwed up in Singapore? Do the maths, it is only 7 points points difference in the Drivers Championship and only a single point in the Constructor's and we have 3 races remaining. Sure Hamilton could win the Championship without winning another race, and that is providing he finishes one place behind Massa in the 3 remaining races. But we all know that won't occur. He could finish ahead of Massa or he can also have one DNF or two. Everything is possible. Don't count out Ferrari just yet. It is not over until it is over. Just look what happened last year."

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