Formula 1: Podium positions for ZF partners in Japan
Robert Kubica finished second at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Pole, whose BMW Sauber F1.08 is equipped with ZF Sachs Race Engineering dampers, put in a flawless performance over 67 laps around the Fuji Speedway and improved four positions from sixth on the grid in the process.
ZF Sachs was represented for a second time on the podium thanks to Kimi Räikkönen’s third place in the sixteenth race of the season. Dampers from Schweinfurt are also fitted in the Finn’s Ferrari. Meanwhile, his team mate Felipe Massa dropped well down the running order after being given a drive-through penalty, but nevertheless claimed eighth place after an impressive fight back through the field. Owing to a subsequent 25-second penalty for sixth placed Sébastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso), the Brazilian moved up a place and collected two points. Massa still holds second place in the World Championship standings but, like Kubica, reduced the points deficit to leader Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) and still has the chance to become World Champion. Ferrari maintained its lead in the Constructors’ Championship.
Results Japanese GP (J), 16th round, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 10 Oct – 12 Oct 2008:
1. F. Alonso, Renault, 1h30m21.842s
2. R. Kubica, BMW-Sauber, + 5.283s, ZF Sachs
3. K. Räikkönen, Ferrari, + 6.400s, ZF Sachs
4. N. Piquet, Renault, + 20.570s
5. J. Trulli, Toyota, + 23.767s, ZF Sachs
6. S. Vettel, STR-Ferrari, + 39.207s
7. F. Massa, Ferrari, + 46.158s, ZF Sachs
8. M. Webber, Red Bull-Renault, + 50.811s
Drivers’ championship:
1. L. Hamilton, 84 points; 2. F. Massa, 79; 3. R. Kubica, 72; 4. K. Räikkönen, 63; 5. N. Heidfeld, 56; 6. H. Kovalainen, 51; 7. F. Alonso, 48; 8. S. Vettel and J. Trulli, 30; 10. M. Webber, 21.
Constructors’ championship:
1. Ferrari, 142 points; 2. McLaren-Mercedes, 135; 3. BMW-Sauber, 128; 4. Renault, 66; 5. Toyota, 50; 6. STR-Ferrari, 34; 7. Red Bull-Renault, 29; 8. Williams-Toyota, 26; 9. Honda, 14.
World Rally Championship: Hirvonen keeps title battle alive
Thanks to second place in the Corsica Rally Mikko Hirvonen kept his hopes of becoming 2008 Rally World Champion alive. The Finn, driving as usual the Ford Focus RS WRC fitted with a ZF Sachs clutch, is 14 points behind championship leader Sébastien Loeb (Citroën) going into the two final events of the season in Japan and Great Britain. With François Duval, Jari-Matti Latvala and Matthew Wilson finishing third, fourth and eighth respectively three more Ford Focus drivers scored world championship points. This trio also relies on clutches from Schweinfurt.
Results Corsica Rally (F), 13th round of the WRC, 10 Oct – 12 Oct 2008:
1. S. Loeb/D. Elena, Citroën, 3h42m58.0s
2. M. Hirvonen/J. Lehtinen, Ford, + 3m24.7s, ZF Sachs
3. F. Duval/P. Pivato, Ford, + 3m31.6s, ZF Sachs
4. J. Latvala/M. Anttila, Ford, + 3m37.5s, ZF Sachs
5. P. Solberg/P. Mills, Subaru, + 5m35.4s
6. C. Atkinson/S. Prevot, Subaru, + 6m10.4s
7. U. Aava/K. Sikk, Citroën, + 7m25.2s
8. M. Wilson/S. Martin, Ford, + 9m02.2s, ZF Sachs
Drivers’ standings:
1. S. Loeb, 106 points; 2. M. Hirvonen, 92; 3. D. Sordo, 59; 4. C. Atkinson, 45; 5. J. Latvala, 42; 6. P. Solberg, 40; 7. F. Duval and H. Solberg, 22; 9. G. Galli, 17; 10. U. Aava and M. Wilson, 13.
Manufacturers’ standings:
1. Citroën, 169 points; 2. Ford, 146; 3. Subaru, 87; 4. Stobart-Ford, 62; 5. Munchi`s-Ford, 22; 6. Suzuki, 21.