Oct.11 (GMM) A heated team managers’ meeting has taken place at Fuji Speedway
Officials for Red Bull pointedly asked FIA race director Charlie Whiting why it took him so long to refer the straightforward infractions of Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica to the stewards two weeks ago in Singapore
Then, Rosberg was able to finish second, despite the fact he broke the rules by refuelling when the pitlane was closed and served a stop-go penalty
Williams’ German driver was not disadvantaged, however, because he was able to pull out a big gap while Whiting and the stewards deliberated
Red Bull officials told Whiting they believe it took 21 minutes for the decision to be made, and a further 7 before Rosberg had to serve his penalty
They, supported by other team managers, claim he should have finished eighth if the decisions were made in a reasonable timeframe
Whiting replied that race control was busy dealing with Felipe Massa’s botched pitstop
But some team managers claim that this situation was also not adequately addressed by the stewards, who did not penalise Ferrari for allowing someone without fireproof overalls to attempt to pull the broken fuel hose from the Brazilian’s car
Whiting replied that, given Massa’s ruined race and penalty for an unsafe pitstop, a further penalty was unnecessary
