Ferrari have officially confirmed that Felipe Massa was incur a five-place grid penalty for the United States Grand Prix, after earlier speculation that the Scuderia were contemplating changing the Brazilian’s gearbox in an attempt to tactically assist Fernando Alonso. This will see the Spaniard start the race from 7th on the grid, on the clean side of the grid.
After Felipe Massa out-qualified team-mate and Championship contender Fernando Alonso during yesterday’s qualifying session around the brand-new Circuit of the Americas, it became apparent that both Ferraris would start the race on the dirtier side of the grid, which would yield much less grip at the start of the race. As race say dawned over Austin, speculation began to gather momentum that Ferrari would change Felipe Massa’s gearbox to allow Alonso to rise to 7th on the grid and the much cleaner side of the grid.
As preparations for the race began, Ferrari confirmed they were considering deploying such tactics. The team have since officially confirmed that Felipe Massa will drop five places on the grid, therefore allowing Championship contender Fernando Alonso to rise to 7th on the grid. This in turn will allow both Ferrari drivers to start the United States Grand Prix from the cleaner side of the grid, albeit with Massa demoted to 11th.
Felipe Massa’s gearbox was not changed by his mechanics, the team merely broke the official FIA seal on the component which therefore breached the regulations and will see the Brazilian line-up 11th on the grid. Ferrari have long been fans of using controversial team tactics in the sport, and today is no different as the Scuderia strive to offer Alonso the best opportunity possible of taking the Championship fight to Brazil.
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