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rollover ff1 template   GIANCARLO FISICHELLA-SEPANG 2001    
rollover ff1 template   Formula One drivers are skilled sportsmen, risking life by driving round world class facilities at breathtaking speeds with absolute precision, so you wouldn't expect one to get lost on the grid before a race would you?

But, believe it or not, Giancarlo Fisichella proved us all wring by making a complete fool of himself on the grid at the 2001 Malaysian Grand Prix.

After the warm up lap had been completed, the drivers all resumed their places on the grid, allocated to them they day before during the qualifying session of course. The cars all appeared to be lined up correctly, but we were treated to the rather odd site of a bright blue Benetton-Renault crawling across the track, realising they had got stuck in between two grid hashings, on the wrong side of the grid. 

Fisichella was trying to get back to his position, but he stood no chance, as the angle was too acute, and the start was aborted, with the Benetton in the middle of the grid, pointing across the track.

The incident saw Fisichella relegated to the back of the grid, and he later retired with a fuel pressure problem.

"I made a mistake finding my position on the starting grid," commented the rather sheepish Italian after the race.

Well obviously Giancarlo...

The events of Sepang 2001 are shown below:

 
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rollover ff1 template   Images from this Incident    
   

Perhaps one of the most embarassing moments of Fisichella's career (circled) as he messes up on the starting grid.  
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    Front view of the incident, Fisichella's out of position car is clear to see.  
         
                             
 
 
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