Correction 26.10 If a driver has serious mechanical difficulties, he must leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so
really, rear corner on fire, hub exploded in the pit lane, rear tyre trashed and could have failed anytime................
I've seen a driver win a race on a blown tire. Shreds of rubber flying everywhere. I've seen a driver bring in an F1 car in the pit lane on 2 wheels while the other 2 were destroyed to include his car dragging on the asphalt while pieces of carbon fiber lay strewn as he limped his car to the pit lane. What's the difference?
Agreed but to destroy a large part of the rear end to save himself a walk is not necessarily a duty I would agree with. His duty it to save the car from expensive repairs knowing full well the car was on fire especially with strict budget caps in force. Luckily the rear hub exploding in a mechanics face was avoided
That's what the mechanics are there for regardless of the amount of damage the car sustains. It's their responsibility to fix the car back to working order....and they do it fast with the upmost urgency. Don't the mechanics have helmets and safety goggles? Don't the mechanics have gloves? Don't the mechanics have knee pads for the ones with the power air drills to take the nuts off the wheels.
Then there are the guys who park it when they don't really have to and end up screwing over the teammate by forcing a yellow. Vettel in Sochi is one I recall.
Good point hence why these guys bring the car home because of avoiding a full course yellow, or safety car or red flag the race....in essence it helps everyone on the track by bringing the car home.
Only those attending the car when it pulls into the box, There are loads of people in and around the car (or in the pitlane) that dont have PPE
