There you go, making sense The results speak for themselves. In racing there are no "should-have"s or "deserved-to"s.
It is amazing when you use the old noodle how "lucky" you can get. Just about every other driver had the same opportunity to get lucky. Shakespeare: Choice, not chance, is the ruler of destiny.
Take off the blue colored glasses and blame Vettel for that one... Hammy was the meat in a Red Bull sandwich, he had nowhere to go. Webber was the guy on the outside and got the short end of it. When you're side-by-side with someone tracking out, well, they're going to track out! Nothing Webber hasn't done to others a hundred times, without even having someone on his inside pushing him out (e.g. Vettel)
A little reminder, if anyone thinks Todt is not doing his job properly contact the ACEA. This is what was written when Mosley was in charge, and I'am sure Todt has taken it on board. The members of the Board of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) have announced that the current governance system in F1 cannot continue. In a statement from Brussels, the European car-makers body announced that ACEA has come to the conclusion that the FIA needs a modernised and transparent governance system and processes, including the revision of its constitution, to ensure the voice of its members, worldwide motorsport competitors and motorists are properly reflected.
Even though Rosberg is having a good showing, especially vs MS, he could have parlayed this to a win.
I've given up on complaining mate. What hamilton and alonso did was completely against the rules but all of a sudden it should be allowed because a) it provides for good racing b) the stewards got their bonus early this year. Button, Hamilton and Alonso where in the wrong, haven't received a penalty for it but it seems ok now for reasons unclear to me. * I do want to clarify that the thing with Hamilton and Alonso in the pitlane where certainly good to see, but I want CONSISTENCY in the FIA rule book. Right now it seems that everyone can make their own rules and either not get penalized for it, or someone (Hamilton) discovers a loophole (tow breaking) and the stewards do find it needs to be added so already he receives a warning for it (I know it isn't much, but it could just as well have been a DT).
Well IMO that is why and I hope Todt is keeping the interference and handing out penalties to a minimum, probably one of the problems is that folk/fans have got into the frame of mind that races are won and lost on the FIA board room table, and if the driver they don't like wins or does well, it's because they have been given a let off, likewise the other way round. I had my fill of this with Mosley because he complicated it even more with his like or dislike and made it personal. I want fair even transparent across the board judgements in F1, always have done and I will be the first to shout out if I think it isn't. Only to add to that, I think it is better not to make a quick judgements unless its a black and white infraction, or if there is time within the race to proceed with a decent video replay review ect, drive throughs ect can be applied. It is not going to be the answer though, your never going to please every one, but dealing with issues ASAP and being consistant with them is a step in the right direction IMO. After the race penalties will still be applied however open for all to understand why, and not something made up on the fly. One of the main things I think we all can agree on is overtaking is lacking in the sport, and this must be encouraged not frowned on, with oh he is going to get a penalty because he touched his wheel ect, and the knock on effect is the drivers will not want to risk it because of that, never mind the risk of actually overtaking. It's still early days for the Todt administration but IMO its seems ok to me.
The Brazilian was forced to take to the grass after Alonso lunged down the inside in the pit entry at Shanghai - crucially giving himself track position advantage for the stacked pitstop. But although Alonso's move looked slightly aggressive, Massa said he was not upset about what happened because he had effectively lost the place with a poor exit from the previous hairpin. "I didn't do a great hairpin definitely, and then he got his car alongside me," he said. "I didn't know he was coming into the garage as well, and then when I saw him inside there for sure I didn't want to risk creating an accident. But everything started at the exit of the hairpin." When asked if he thought Alonso had pushed the boundaries of what he thought was acceptable, Massa said: "I don't know. He was inside so there was nothing I could do there. In terms of the rules, I don't know. I think he should be okay because we saw another car doing the same. You need to ask Charlie [Whiting] not me." (Sort of end of discussion - except why would Ferrari allow both cars in at the same time?)
I think some folks complain way too much about the rules and enforcement in today's F1. I think they have been blinded by Renn-Führer Mosley. Unlike Mosley, Todt is a balanced individual who understands that the stars of the sport -and the ones in the headlines- should be the drivers and not himself. One of the first things Todt did after taking office was to appoint four-time WDC Kankkunen to improve the marketability and audience appeal of the WRC. Directly or indirectly this has already resulted in elimination of sandbagging for a better starting position. There is no reason to think that Todt's mindset would be any different towards F1. Under that meek exterior is a brilliant and accomplished man.
+1 I'm with you on that. I wasn't happy that Todt got the FIA job due to fact Mosley wanted him to have the job, but I'am happy to say he is proving me wrong, and distancing himself from that cretin, he has a back bone.
I have to say that this statement from Massa bothers Me a bit!. It's a bit wishy washy and defeatist!. As a racing driver he should be saying something along the lines of: "I'm incredibly p*ss*d off with that!, in future I'll make sure that doesn't happen again and I'll be pushing him a lot harder!". Some days Massa is just too nice for his own good!. As for letting both cars come in at the same time, that's done because the time lost queing behind your team mate in the pits is a lot less than trying to struggle round the circuit on the wrong/worn out tyres for an extra lap.
BTW, I've had an interesting thought in regards to Alonso's jump start: What would have happened if the safety car hadn't come out and Alonso had sprinted off in the lead, gaining enough time to serve the drive through penalty and still come out in front of the pack, leading the race?.
LOL well nice thought. He would have needed to be really really quick, on a full fuel load so doubtfull, Ferrari is quick on empty tanks, but it is possible I suppose.
But with the likes of Vettel and Webber, Rosberg and Hamilton etc., all battling each other on the first couple of laps and holding each other up, it's not totally beyond the realms of possibility!. In fact, I think that's what Alonso was then hoping for, having jumped the start! (Damn that safety car! )
Indeed. I said Hamilton would wipe the floor with Button. Hasn't happened so far. He is driving very smart, worthy of a WDC.
Agree, and interestingly LH is responding by over driving his car. While this is (to some) fun to watch he is showing a poor understanding of race long strategy. Needs to cool his head ... Pete
Well, the stewards have 20 minutes after an incident to announce a penalty or an investigation. That is 8 or 9 laps at the 1:50ish laps they were doing Sunday. Lets assume that it costs 25 seconds to drive through the pits, a number the BBC keep using. So, lets also assume the stewards take their time and Alonso had gotten 9 laps at the front before the penalty was announced. He then gets 3 laps to perform the drive through. 12 laps... to gain 24 seconds on 2nd place. 2 seconds a lap. I don't see the Ferrari being 2 seconds a lap faster than the Maccas and Red Bulls even if they are fighting among themselves, for 12 straight laps on full tanks, in the damp... .
I'm still surprised that we are not all talking about the stupid safety car rules and the allowing of passing before the start finish line. F1 is the only race series in the world where safety has been compromised like this. Pete
It doesn't sound like they can do that according to the regulations: "When the safety car is ready to leave the circuit it extinguishes its orange lights, indicating to the drivers that it will peel off into the pits at the end of the current lap. The drivers then continue in formation until they cross the start-finish line where green lights will indicate that they are free to race again." http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/sporting_regulations/8687/
In most if not all amateur (club) racing, passing before the start-finish is allowed. I personally think it's fine and I don't see the safety problem. I think it sucks if the guy in front of you is off-speed when you're at the last corner and you are held up because of this rule. What is the GP2 rule?
