Formula 1: Massa and Heidfeld on Podium in Spa thriller
The thirteenth Formula 1 race of the season at Spa-Francorchamps ended with podium finishes for ZF Sachs Race Engineering partners. In the changeable weather conditions two different strategies helped the drivers, who rely on high-tech from Schweinfurt, to success. BMW-Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld claimed third position after courageously switching to rain tyres as the rain intensified just before the end of the race. The man from M�chengladbach, in whose car ZF Sachs dampers help to give the mechanical grip, passed four competitors on the final lap including team mate Robert Kubica who was still running on slick tyres and was sixth at the flag.
Ferrari man Felipe Massa was successful with the conservative tactic not to change to rain tyres. The Brazilian, in whose car ZF Sachs dampers are also used, kept his cool in spite of the rapidly deteriorating track conditions and, as a result, took second place at the chequered flag and, with only an eight-point deficit, is still within reach of the title and race winner and championship leader Lewis Hamilton. The innovative ZF Sachs clutch technology was also rewarded with a championship point at Spa-Francorchamps: The German Timo Glock, whose Toyota is equipped with a clutch from Schweinfurt, was eighth.
Result GP Belgium (B), round 13, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 05.09.-07.09.2008:
1. L. Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:22:44.933 hrs.
2. F. Massa, Ferrari, + 14.461 sec., ZF Sachs
3. N. Heidfeld, BMW-Sauber, + 23.844 sec., ZF Sachs
4. F. Alonso, Renault, + 28.939 sec.
5. S. Vettel, STR-Ferrari, + 29.037 sec.
6. R. Kubica, BMW-Sauber, + 29.498 sec., ZF Sachs
7. S. Bourdais, STR-Ferrari, + 31.196 sec.
8. T. Glock, Toyota, + 56.506 sec., ZF Sachs
Drivers� World Championship standings:
1. L. Hamilton, 80 points; 2. F. Massa, 72; 3. R. Kubica, 58; 4. K. R�kk�en, 57; 5. N. Heidfeld, 47; 6. H. Kovalainen, 43; 7. J. Trulli, 26; 8. F. Alonso, 23; 9. M. Webber, 18; 10. T. Glock, 16.
Manufacturers� World Championship standings:
1. Ferrari, 129 points; 2. McLaren-Mercedes, 123; 3. BMW-Sauber, 105; 4. Toyota, 42; 5. Renault, 36; 6. Red Bull-Renault, 24; 7. Williams-Toyota, 17; 8. STR-Ferrari, 17; 9. Honda, 14.
Other results:
Result Spa-Francorchamps (B), round 11, Porsche Supercup, 05.09.-07.09.2008:
1. S. Edwards, Porsche, 29:10.422 min., ZF Sachs
2. J. van Lagen, Porsche, + 1.833 sec., ZF Sachs
3. J. Bleekemolen, Porsche, + 5.632 sec., ZF Sachs
4. N. Siedler, Porsche, + 7.070 sec., ZF Sachs
5. P. Huisman, Porsche, + 7.627 sec., ZF Sachs
6. D. Saelens, Porsche, + 10.247 sec., ZF Sachs
7. R. Rast, Porsche, + 14.284 sec., ZF Sachs
8. J. Janak, Porsche, + 15.576 sec., ZF Sachs
Drivers� Championship standings:
1. J. Bleekemolen, 176 points; 2. D. Faulkner, 116; 3. C. Mamerow and P. Huisman, 98 each; 5. J. Seyffarth and J. van Lagen, 93 each; 7. S. Edwards, 86; 8. R. Rast, 85; 9. D. Watts, 84; 10. S. Rosina, 75.
Result Spa-Francorchamps (B), rounds 13 and 14, Formula BMW Europe, 05.09.-07.09.2008:
Race 1
1. M. Wittmann, BMW, 20:24.653 min., ZF Sachs
2. T. Geronimi, BMW, + 5.262 sec., ZF Sachs
3. A. Tambay, BMW, + 6.004 sec., ZF Sachs
4. P. Eng, BMW, + 7.005 sec., ZF Sachs
5. P. Bianchini, BMW, + 7.749 sec., ZF Sachs
6. D. Mengesdorf, BMW, + 9.157 sec., ZF Sachs
7. M. Christensen, BMW, + 9.273 sec., ZF Sachs
8. R. Pi�iro, BMW, + 12.071 sec., ZF Sachs
Race 2
1. K. Breysse, BMW, 21:57.831 Min., ZF Sachs
2. A. Tambay, BMW, + 2.150 sec., ZF Sachs
3. T. Geronimi, BMW, + 3.040 sec., ZF Sachs
4. J. Pla, BMW, + 3.632 sec., ZF Sachs
5. C. Huertas, BMW, + 3.734 sec., ZF Sachs
6. M. Wittmann, BMW, + 3.793 sec., ZF Sachs
7. D. Juncadella, BMW, + 4.864 sec., ZF Sachs
8. E. Gutierrez, BMW, + 4.929 sec., ZF Sachs
Drivers� Championship standings:
1. E. Gutierrez, 315 points; 2. M. Wittmann, 283; 3. A. Tambay, 260; 4. D. Juncadella, 236; 5. P.Bianchini, 137; 6. K. Breysse, 136; 7. M. Christensen, 130; 8. T. Geronimi, 126; 9. D. Mengesdorf, 120; 10. M. Marinescu, 104.