* forgot to mention, I thought Button really was pushing it playing safety car. As for alonso, I think this was the first false start since hakkinen back in 2002, USA GP?
incident between vettel and hamilton will be decided AFTER the race. Grid place penalty for Hamilton I think. Didn't see or missed that Alonso would get something for his pass (under safety car?) on Massa, crossing the white lines like hamilton did.
It's going to be interesting to see Hami and Button fight for the rest of the year. Alonso has pretty much shown he can outrun Massa. Vettel is the cream of his team. Only McLaren seems two have to team mates that can really race with each other.
Yes, I'm well aware that the Ham/Vet incident will be investigated post race and IMO, one should not assume that Lewis will receive the only penalty for that incident. Mclaren released him too close to Vettel, but Vettel squezed him. IMO, Mclaren is guilty of unsafe release and Vettel is guilty of unsafe driving in the pitlane. Mclaren fined, Vettel grid penalty in Spain. Hamilton's investigation is not about the pass at pit entry, rather for the incident at pit exit. Alonso's pit entry pass however came under the safety car, while he was still technically on the track. But, Alonso's pass and Button's hinky business under the safety car will go unpunished.
Alonso needs to start winning soon or his season is over. There are too many good drivers and teams at the top tier to climb over.
Fact of the matter is the rules are at fault again grey area, in slow mo there is nothing in it, both drivers wheel spinning in the pits, folk banging on about LH getting a penalty want it it for there own reasons nit picking IMO. You fine one then you open the flood gates, then the trouble kicks off, if it is a black and white infraction all well and good.
He's only 11 points back in the Championship now when a race win is worth 25 points. I think it's far too early to be so dire with your comments, and that's coming from someone who doesn't care to see Alonso succeed. >8^) ER
Isn't he only 10 or 11 points out of the lead? He's right in the thick of things, actually. He clearly wanted the win today, but got a little hasty in anticipating the green light.
Great race........ Mclaren are starting to show they have the race pace and strategy calls Red Bull are troubled to match. Ferrari still need to step up a bit more..... Great drive by Alonso who seems to be melding with the car and taking team control. Felipe needs more aggression and speed or its not worth it to support both. Im a Felipe fan but he needs to get things sorted and now! Rain mixed it up again! Nice drive by Jenson and LH. Time for a Sunday BBQ and drive...great weather here in Germany!
Yes I go along with that. Watched in slow mo both drivers were released at the same time, as Eddie J said it is near impossible to watch another team release whilst releasing your own driver.
Yes, but his competition is both McLarens, one Red bull, and even Mercedes and Renault can steal points. It's tougher than if he only had one guy to catch up 11 points with. If he has a DNF, he's in serious trouble.
Sadly, this is likely my final live race this year, as my Sunday work schedule precludes watching the European rounds live. I'll be here for Japan and might be able to catch one or two more, if it is going to be raining local to me on Sunday and the boss says "uckfit, I'm staying home". It's been fun!
From the sounds of it they might be flying them all into Italy or Spain and roadtripping the rest of the way home... I'm sure I'll have opinions to make on Sunday afternoons after I download and watch the terrents.
Completely disagree. Vettel was in fact already on his way and Mclaren should have held Hamilton, but it was so close that they released him less than a second after Vettel was released, so this couldn't be helped much. Hamilton should have led Vettel past, because HAMILTON passed Vettel over the white lines (for the second time that race), which isn't allowed at all. If he just waited patiently all this stuff would have been avoided. Hamilton was CLEARLY in the wrong, Vettel wasn't. Agreed. Agreed I think you're right on this, it will go unpunished but IMO it was wrong. VERY lazy stewards this race. It really should be like this but for christ sakes, the rules are there for a reason. Alonso's pass was borderline, but also under safety car. Hamilton was really pushing his luck today and if the Stewards where actually watching he would have served at least one drive through already. Button also broke the rules during the safety car, which clearly states that when a driver becomes the safety car, no drastic acceleration or deceleration which may cause chaos between other drivers (which clearly happened) is allowed.
I agree with this, but as I said in my last statement, it wasn't the teams fault as it was so close but it was hamilton breaking the rules when entering the pit, crossing the line for the second time.
I don't think the stewards will have anything to say about Alonso's jumping the pit stack. They came in on lap 20, and the SC didn't deploy until 23. But the team may have words with Alonso about that. They were set for Massa, and Alonso butted in. I think, in Massa's position, I'd have called and asked for about five turns on the front wing -- to the crew expecting Massa instead of Alonso. (But Massa isn't a nasty type like me. ) I think this will go into the "Alonso owes Massa one" category. But was anyone else thinking of the Star Wars dialog between Vader and Obie Wan when Massa overtook Shumi? ("The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now *I* am the master.") I have to credit Nico. Of the four top finishers, he was the only one that didn't pull something off-colour. (Button's traffic jam restart, Hammi's pit exit race, Alonso grabbing Massa's pit.) But, for some reason, I feel like I just watched an episode of "stunt junkies" instead of a race. Now we wait to see what results the FIA wants.
