Formula One News — September 2008

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

McLaren's appeal against Lewis Hamilton's 25-second penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix will be heard by the FIA International Court of Appeal on September 22. The court will have to decide whether or not McLaren has a right to appeal the decision.

Ferrari has announced that Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa will remain its drivers until the end of 2010.

The first practice sesson for the Italian Grand Prix was disrupted by a rain storm of tropical proportions which left the teams fighting to stop the pits from flooding as the drains overflowed. In the end the session was red-flagged.