Formula One news

Column: Flying out of the race

That was one hell of a weekend! The Grand Prix weekend in Imola started really good. During the free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday the car did really well and I managed to set competitive lap times. But then bad luck came around the corner…

On Saturday, during the qualifying session, we had problems with the car all of a sudden. There was an electronic problem in the Toyota engine, a problem they never saw before in testing unfortunately. The engine was running on only seven cylinders instead of eight so I lost a lot of power.

Then on Sunday I got rolled over after being hit by Yuji Ide. I think I went up-side-down about four times! While being in the car its not as exciting as you've probably seen it on television though. It all went really quick and before I knew it I was in the gravel. While flying in the air I managed to turn of the engine so there wouldn't be any fuel coming out of the car, so it was all save I think. After I walked away from the crash I saw my car looked completely destroyed, but I haven't even got a bruise on my body. That's how safe Formula 1 is nowadays.

A lot has been said about Yuji Ide. I don't think the FIA should pull in his Super License or anything. He made a mistake… Any rookie can make a mistake and young talents should receive a second chance in this sport, there are already too many old guys hanging around for years in F1.

more news

• 04 Dec.
  • Pantano bemoans lack of F1 interest
• 03 Dec.
  • Alonso threatens to quit F1
  • Alonso talks up 2009 chances
• 02 Dec.
  • An interview with Kazuki Nakajima
  • McLaren to present 2009 contender January 16th
  • Hockenheim hanging in the balance
  • BMW tempering 2009 title talk
• 01 Dec.
  • Renault thrills 100,000 fans on the streets of Sao Paulo
  • Briatore targets championship title in 2009
  • 'Grosjean not ready for F1 yet'
  • Nicolas Prost eyes F1 test after winning F3000 championship
  • Photos: Piquet demo at Sao Paulo
  • Photos: Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2008
• 30 Nov.
  • Barrichello wins Massa kart race
  • Di Resta happy to start in midfield team
• 29 Nov.
  • Fisichella insists seat is safe
  • Middle East circuits to work together
• 28 Nov.
  • Photos: Construction at Abu Dhabi
  • Tiago Monteiro confirms the acquisition of GP2 team
  • Button says Honda wins possible in 2009
• 27 Nov.
  • BMW set for Valencia launch
  • Donington Grand Prix: No cars please!
  • Webber expects to test in February
  • Opportunity to race with Michael Schumacher?
  • Hartley stands in for Webber
  • Italian F3 drivers enjoy F1 debut at Ferrari
  • Photos: Wednesday in Fiorano
  • Jordan blasts medal plans
• 26 Nov.
  • Ecclestone aiming for medals in 2009
  • LG signs as F1 global sponsor
  • Sir Frank Williams endorses karting for the disabled
  • Toyota to unveil TF109 15 January
  • Santander to switch from McLaren to Ferrari
  • Montoya 'has turned down F1 offers'
• 25 Nov.
  • Red Bull buys back Toro Rosso stake
  • Rosberg aims for better season next year
  • Barrichello admits Ferrari team orders
  • Australian Grand Prix expects Webber at the grid
  • Villeneuve fastest in Speedcar test
  • Coulthard becomes a father

Homepage