Formula 1 News

Felipe Massa dominates 2008 European GP at Valencia 

Felipe Massa has responded quickly to the disappointing engine failure during the Hungarian Grand Prix by dominating the 2008 Grand Prix of Europe, staged this year at the newly built urban circuit in Valencia, Spain. The Brazilian’s win however, was for a while under investigation by the FIA stewards for an unsafe release during his second pit stop but at the end of the race the stewards decided to only reprimand and fine him €10,000. Second place for McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton who keeps the lead of the Drivers’ Championship with 70 points, third for BMW’s Robert Kubica.

The Grand Prix was clearly disappointing for Kimi Raikkonen and local hero Fernando Alonso. The Finn, in an attempt to gain a position to Kovalainen while in the pitlane, made a mistake by anticipating the pitstop exit and with the fuel hose still attached injured a Ferrari mechanic; a couple of laps later had to retire following an engine failure much like Felipe Massa’s at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Spaniard instead, had to retire on the opening lap when Williams’ Kazuki Nakajima run into the back of his Renault R28 damaging seriously the rear wing.

Fourth place for Heikki Kovalainen, followed by Jarno Trulli (P5), Sebastian Vettel (P6), Timo Glock (P7) and Nico Rosberg (P8) closing up the points area.

2008 European Grand Prix (Valencia) Race Results: