Following the FIA’s decision to penalize Sauber’s Felipe Massa 10 grid positions at the United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis for causing an avoidable collision with Pedro de la Rosa in Monza last Sunday it now looks like Massa may not get to race there at all.
Sauber is considering giving his ride for the weekend to Heinz-Harald Frentzen who will be joining them full-time next season.
The FIA has given the green light to the idea by stating that the penalty was imposed against the individual driver and not the team and that if Sauber decides to suspend their driver for the event it is up to them.
The wording of the penalty states that it will be imposed “at the next event” but as it is a new penalty for this year and this is the first time that it has been awarded to anyone there is some speculation as to whether it would carry forward to the following event if Massa sits this one out or if it will expire at Indianapolis.