Racing: Ferrari revert to 'lollipop' for Japan Formula
One
FUJI SPEEDWAY : Ferrari have decided to dump their
"traffic light" pit stop signal system at the Japan Grand Prix and
revert to the traditional "lollipop" after their disaster in
Singapore.
Felipe Massa lost all hope of winning in Singapore when a mechanic
controlling their innovative lights system made a mistake and
turned the green on before a fuel hose was detached.
The lights system usually works automatically when the hose is
removed, but the system was operated manually in Singapore.
The bungle cost Ferrari dearly as they fell behind McLaren in the
constructors championship while Massa slipped seven points adrift
of Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' world title race.
Team boss Stefano Domenicali said Ferrari needed to simplify
things, so the lollipop system was being brought back.
"We still believe that our 'traffic light' system used for
releasing the drivers from the pits does bring a performance
advantage, something we have seen on a couple of occasions this
season," he said on the Ferrari website.
"It is a good system that still has potential.
"However, for the rest of this season, in the light of recent
events, we have decided to revert to a conventional 'lollipop' for
telling the driver when it is clear for him to go.
"This decision has been taken purely to give the pit crew maximum
confidence at the time of the pit stops.
"Pit stops are always a tense moment and with the fight for the
championships so finely balanced that will be even more the case
over these last few races."
- AFP/sf