Ferrari revert to 'lollipop'

Team's 'traffic light' system dropped

Last updated: 7th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ferrari revert to 'lollipop'

Massa: Botched stop

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Ferrari are to use a 'lollipop' during their pit stops in this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

The decision comes after the team's own 'traffic light' system led to a botched stop for Felipe Massa in Singapore at the end of last month.

Having started from pole position, Championship contender Massa appeared set for victory prior to his pit stop under safety car conditions.

However, using their own system, the team's pit crew then conspired to show him the green light whilst the fuel rig was still attached.

After knocking over a mechanic, the Brazilian's car then trailed the fuel hose down the pit lane before it was eventually uncoupled.

Ferrari's light system usually works automatically when the hose is removed from the car, but in Singapore it was in manual mode.

"In this moment we need tranquillity and therefore we prefer to go back to the old system," Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said ahead of Sunday's race at Fuji.

Other teams still use a lollipop-shaped sign, held in front of a driver and then removed when the pit stop is completed.

Following his 13th-place finish in Singapore, Massa now trails McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton by seven points with three races, including this weekend's, remaining.