Fisichella's win - have your say... the response.

Giancarlo Fisichella was confirmed as the winner of the Brazilian GP last Friday, five days after the race had actually finished. We wanted to know what you, the reader thought of the decision and also the farcical situation that lead to Kimi Raikkonen taking the top step on the podium. What follows is your responses...

''In the last 'have your say..' about the initial ruling I stood by the stewards because of their direct application of the rules. They did this even though it would cost Fisi a win we all knew was really his. Well I still stand by the stewards for making that call. And I now applaud the FIA for taking a second look at it outside of the emotion of the situation and the need to make a decision quickly.

''Basically what has happened is exactly what should have happened. The stewards made a tough call on a rare situation, the FIA reviewed it, a mistake was found, the results were corrected. That's it. No need for further discussion. I also don't think there is a need to change anything.

''I'd be curious to find out how many times under the current regulations that particular rule has been applied. I'm not the greatest F1 historian, but I don't think this has come up very often. So I think it would be a mistake to overhaul anything for the sake of a rare event. Especially given that other parts of the regulations allow for the review and correction process we've just witnessed. It's all-good - so let's move on to the next race.''

Steve Huckaby (32) - USA.

''After reading your report of the race decision dated 11th April 2003, I just wanted to add my comments to the over haul that you already have.

''Firstly, we should not of encountered this problem at the circuit in the first place. It was very clear in the rules (Number 155 of the Sporting Practice) what should happen in these circumstances. What I don't seem to understand is that Charlie Whiting has all the circuit camera screens as well as timing beams of ALL cars on the circuit but still was unable to see that Fisichella was on his 56th lap. Surely they get all the timings that we see?

''Secondly, I think the race stewards were under extreme pressure to produce some kind of result in very extreme circumstances. You have to think there are billions of people watching the same thing all over the world wanting some kind of clarification of a result. On top of that you'll also have F1 teams, press, and officials needing the results quickly.

''Thirdly, it also depends on when they clarify when the red flag was given, does the race stop when ALL teams are informed or when the red flags come out? Maybe more clarification of this could help everyone a lot more.

''Hopefully the investigation that the FIA will do (and I'm sure they will) will conclude that a clear rule and maybe a pre-season meeting with all teams will help EVERYONE understand what the rules are and hopefully this will never have to happen again.''

Helen Turnbull (21) - UK.

''I think the whole count-back rule is a little daft. Sure, things can happen to alter the true state of the race as a result of whatever incident causes the red flag, but there should be some common sense applied.

''Had Giancarlo not started his 56th lap, he should still be declared the winner as when he overtook Kimi it was not as a result of any incident. Surely the result should be the positions at the end of the last complete lap before the incident, not the throwing of the red flag itself. Unfortunately, even though this is more fair and sensible, it leaves a bit more thought to the stewards, who clearly aren't up to the job!

''Giancarlo is the real loser because of this. He will go to Imola, have an incredible amount of attention, and his race weekend will probably suffer as a result of it. He should have been able to celebrate in Brazil.''

Dafydd Williams (32) - Wales.

''I was very disappointed when I saw that amid the confusion Raikkonen's name popped up as the winners. More importantly so was Fisi. It was only after I saw the footage again I begun to think, that no matter the ''2 laps before'' rule, it was possible that Fisi was already starting and leading the 54th lap, but I wasn't too sure about it, after all I'm not a race official. THEY should know who is first or second, shouldn't they?

''How could the officials simply miss the fact that Fisi has already begun that lap is still too much for me - all the technical gizmos, the science, the 1/1000th of a second correct timing wasn't enough. It's madness. It made F1 look idiotic.

''The ''2 laps before'' rule is not so bad, but it could be changed to a better, and more widely acceptable one. For example, if they can determine when an accident happened (and they can), than they can use the official telemetry data provided by the cars to decide where they were at that point of the race, before the accident happened.

''Then they could use that as a final standing. (If I'm correct, the FIA was testing (?) a system like this for the propose of keeping the distances between the cars when the safety car is brought onto the track.)

''I would also like to quietly add that had the race been of full length, Fisi would have had DNF. No offence, just a fact. I'm happy he had won - he deserved it a lot sooner.

''Raikkonen was right to congratulate, and maybe he will learn that it is not wise to be proud of a victory like that. Just take a look at DC's win this year. He rightly claimed he would have been second at best had Montoya stayed on track.''

Jaloveczki Istvan (21) - Hungary.

''I have been watching this F1 season in wonder and disappointment so far. The FIA seems entirely out of touch with reality with their growing list of socialistically styled and nonsensical race and qualifying rules. Last week's initial race result, when they denied Giancarlo Fisichella his first win, was the worst I have ever seen.

''I was extremely pleased when the FIA rectified the situation and gave Giancarlo the win he deserved. Now perhaps they can consider revoking some of their other ridiculous and arbitrary rules.''

Michael O'Connell.

''I don't think Fisichella nor Raikkonen should have won, but it should have been David Coulthard. He was the obvious moral victor and there is no doubt about that. He had just made a pit-stop two or three laps before the race came to a halt. No one has more claim for the trophy than any one else.

''Despite this, Fisichella did won fair and square in terms of the current FIA rule book and so in this sense shall have no problem to claim the victory over Raikkonen. Does this mean there is something not right about the system? I am referring to the party who lost out most, hence David Coulthard. He lost his victory just for a pit-stop when others were just lucky not to stop? That sounds absurd. Justice has not been found.

''In respect to changing the rules, my opinion is that in addition to the "minus 2 laps" rule they should consider the pit-stops to be made by potential point scorers. Even Fisichella was not sure if he had to make another stop. Therefore some discretion should be delegated to the stewards for investigation in who has not made a scheduled stop. The steward may inspect the telemetry to determine the fuel levels in cars immediately after a race has stopped, to see whether an extra stop would have been needed. Hopefully this will assist in eliminating the pit-stop factor that brings controversy.

''I would like to re-iterate Fisichella did not win victoriously. No Fisi! Justice has not been done! If pit-stops had shaken out, Coulthard should have won! It's not a good way to win a maiden GP from a race where you won in a "grey area".''

Anthony Lee (22) - New Zealand.

''As an Italian-American it would makes sense to root for Fisichella, but I don't. I root for a competitive race and hope Montoya, Coulthard, Kimi or Button finishes well.

''The Brazilian GP was a mess from start to finish. I'm happy that all drivers are safe and I am very happy that Fisichella won the race. I understand the need for the regulations. It's tough for Kimi to have it taken away, but it belonged to Fisichella regardless of the 55th or 56th lap. In the end, Fisichella was ahead after the 54th, 55th and 56th lap. He should have been standing in the top spot. But who cares now. He won! He gets the points and his name will forever be written as the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix winner.''

Pete Corradino (32) - USA.

''Terrific. Good for Jordan and Ford. The correct decision was made. I would like to see the old method for qualifying back. Thanks for the opportunity.''

Ray Giacomino (55) - USA.

''Hooray! It's good to see that the purveyors of F1 in general and the Brazilian Grand Prix in particular were willing to make a second, slightly more thorough review of the available information regarding the correct standings applicable to the red flagged end of last Sunday's race.

''It may be delayed, but the correct result is now final, and that's all that matters. Giancarlo Fisichella and the Jordan team are most deserving of the victory. The combined efforts show that deft driving and thoughtful strategy are rewarded even for teams not blessed with the where with all of Ferrari/McLaren/Williams. This is what the rules changes were meant to achieve - some element of parity, not to mention opportunity at outright victory.

''Congratulations to the victors. You richly deserve the delayed spoils.''

Michael Kuhl (39) - USA.

''Once a winner is declared it should be final. Even though Giancarlo won the race, his victory is now only a record. Similar to Barrichello really won in Austria in 2002 but Schumacher has the record for it. Records don't mean anything. I only hope Fisichella wins again so he can celebrate on the podium, something he was robbed of in Brazil.''

Justin Nortillo (30) - USA.

''I think it's a real shame F1 didn't take the time to properly sort it out. The race was stopped 16 laps early; there was time to see all the evidence, talk to the various parties, and make the right decision. Fisi gets the points, but was denied the top podium spot.

''For all the control the FIA supposedly exerts on tracks, teams - even crabbing about parking lots and highways to and from the track - they lose credibility when they don't get the race results right. They fined Schumi in Austria last year for creating ''confusion'' on the podium. That rings hollow now.

''Overall, the weekend was not a good one for F1 - it was curious and interesting for the fans, but not exemplary of fine management. I'd expect this sort of lunacy from NASCAR or the Heitzler era of CART - the IRL would just give the win to Tony George's favourite driver, no question there! The FIA needs to act like the pinnacle of motorsport to remain the pinnacle of motorsport.

''On the bright side, both Jordan and McLaren (team personnel as well as drivers) have been extremely gracious to each other throughout it all, despite what must be a difficult emotional time. And I hope Jordan can parlay this into additional sponsorship money - what a boost for them that would be! Congrats to Eddie, Fisi and the whole team.''

Christian Mastilak (29) - USA.

''I think that it is great that Fisichella finally earned the victory. I think that it is very unfortunate that he could not be applauded and recognized on the podium. I think that it is ironic that the FIA officials could not figure the rules when this year it seems that the rules are constantly changing.

''The rules should be the lead car should get the victory on the lap that the red flag goes up... sounds easy to me. Going back two laps is not fair, and figuring out who won from there is apparently too difficult.''

Dominique Capraro (28) - Italian-American.

''This count back rule needs to go away. In this day and age we should be able to determine the exact order of the cars by using GPS devices or something similar at any moment during the race. Even if that is not possible why go back two laps? I would think that one lap prior would be sufficient. I think what annoys me the most about this rule is that a driver could be passed for the lead and could intentionally crash to cause a red flag and preserve his win.''

Mark Persson (37) - USA.

''What we can learn from Brazil is that Formula One's governing body has messed up big time. Officials who can't keep track of what's happening on the track should be replaced. The rules are now so complicated that no one understands them. I remember a podium last season that caused an uproar. Well, the one in Brazil was a joke of the officials own making. At this point all rules should be reversed to what they were last October when the season ended. Changes should be given much consideration and thought as to what the impact will be before they are instituted. As the situation stands now the ones in charge are making a mockery of the sport.''

Carole Mayo (41) - USA.

''This debacle further confirms that F1 is not as professional as it would like to appear to the public. The word circus is often used in connection with F1 - it describes the whole thing extremely well. F1 continues to be a joke, why do so many people try to keep the dinosaur alive - let it die along with all the other forms of motorsport that have over the decades.

''The rules are not complicated, they are incorrectly implemented by individuals who are only in the club because of their connections and not because of their knowledge and experience in the sport.''

Eduardo Crepi (40) - Germany.

''I am very pleased that Fisi finally won and ditto goes to Eddie Jordan who's team has worked very hard. The team and Fisi deserve even a greater applause for winning a difficult and perhaps the most bizarre race ever, in Grand Prix history!''

Lawrence Lehr (40) - USA.

Crash.net would like to thank all those people that replied to our ''...have your say'' story as without them this article would not be possible.

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