Glock denies F1 'foul play'
Tuesday, 04 Nov 2008 12:21
Timo Glock (right) offers his congratulations to Lewis Hamilton
Toyota driver Timo Glock has denied accusations he slowed down to give Lewis Hamilton the formula one title on the final lap at the Brazilian grand prix.
Race winner Felipe Massa crossed the line first in his Ferrari at his home track Interlagos and looked to be on course for a maiden drivers' world title with Hamilton lying sixth going into the final few corners.
However, a slow-running Glock was passed by the Briton's McLaren going up the hill into the final turn of the grand prix to hand him a vital fifth place - and the championship by a single point.
The last-ditch outcome came even as Ferrari mechanics and Massa's family and friends were mistakenly celebrating - and the end of the race was somewhat marred by a booing home crowd in Brazil, who believed there had been some conspiracy.
However, Glock strenuously denied any such suggestion - saying his decision to stay out on a damp track with slick tyres, while Hamilton was on intermediates, had cost him the place.
"I tried my best," he told the BBC afterwards.
"Six laps from the end I asked about the tyre situation and about the weather conditions, and I said every time 'I'll stay out, one more lap, one more lap' and at the end I stayed out for the whole race.
"That last lap just cost us the chance to be in the top five, and in the end [decided] the world championship."
Rather than dwell on the error his own team had made, Glock preferred instead to focus on the efforts of Hamilton's McLaren outfit.
"I didn't give the title to Lewis - I think they worked for that the whole year, and Felipe as well," the German continued.
"They both did a really great job all year and in the end it was a dramatic finale.
"I think it's exactly what the fans want to see - maybe the Brazilian fans are not on my side any more but I tried my best and drove my race, and in the end I can't change it."