(GMM) McLaren has criticised title rival Renault's questionable 'gamesmanship' at the Belgian GP.
The Woking based team's 'F1 CEO' Martin Whitmarsh said Renault told Giancarlo Fisichella to drive a very fast out-lap ahead of his qualifying effort on Saturday.
As a result, Kimi Raikkonen - the previous qualifier, with a higher fuel load - could not save fuel by doing a traditionally very slow in-lap. ''You could call it lots of things,'' Whitmarsh's quotes were published by Speed TV.
He added: ''It undoubtedly consumed a bit more fuel than he would ideally have done in that lap, and it kept him a little bit busy.'' Whitmarsh, though, said McLaren did not return the favour, even though Juan Pablo Montoya could have been similarly used.
''Everyone's got to do what they feel comfortable with,'' he said, although not referring to Raikkonen's race tactic to hold the field up in pitlane so he didn't have to queue behind teammate Juan Pablo Montoya for pit service.
Meanwhile, Jarno Trulli criticised Toyota after team management overruled his plea for a new set of intermediate tyres - not dries - in a pitstop.
''It was wrong,'' the Italian stated. ''They made me do two laps behind the safety car (with slicks) before I came in, because I couldn't drive.''
Team principal Tsutomu Tomita defended the tactic, saying he would again employ a 'challenging gamble' if it is made with the intention to win.
Written: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 08:23:31
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