How did Michael Retain P1?

read the above post by boxer12.

 

Regardless, the points made above are still the same. Holding up the field during a SC period is right? Please. Sato was first behind the safety car once MS and RB pitted.

 

Given that - then MS hadn't "taken" the safety car yet - which leave a gaping hole for the cars that ended up in front of the safety car - they basically get a free pit stop.

I assume the in F1, the pits are not "closed" until the SC picks up the leaders like in NASCAR and IRL/CART? If not, well, there's the problem...

 

They do indeed, but it does not let them come out into the pack that is behind the SC. To be in P1 you must be first behind the SC. FIA rules state that the exit of the pit lane is "closed" when the SC is coming past and they must wait until the pack passes. Once the SC flags are out there is no passing anywhere on the track as it is a Double Waving Yellow condition. The track order is set. Good night all.

 

I meant the ENTRANCE to the pits being closed - not the exit.

Given what was explained above - if the ENTRANCE to the pits are not closed, then you will see what happened today - because the SC had not picked up the leaders yet.

Why does the SC come out into the middle of the pack?

 

Are you all considering that the SC comes out to the track at the end of pit lane (just before turn 1)?

 

Yes, but WHEN does it come out? Does it come out directly in front of the leader or does it come out and pick up the field where ever they are at the time?

 

May I suggest a spelling and grammar check for you.

 

It was pure strategy. The guys at the speed channel said "Ferrari learned from Renaut about pitting under the yellow at Monaco."

When the yellow came out RB slowed down the field so that (1) allowing MS to scamper ahead to pit and (2) create a cushion for him to follow MS into the pits. RB timed it right and came in immediately after MS left the pits-without having to wait. He even said so in the post race conference.

In fact he slowed down the field so much so that the Speed channel guys suggested RB be investigated. At this time No-One had yet gone around the track and picked up the safety car.

MS ducked in (followed by RB) Sato stayed out.

Sato said when he went around Ralf's debris he nearly came to a stop. MS went down pit row and picked up the safety car first. Going through the pits was faster than staying out on the track. Same thing happened at Monaco with the smoke.

Ferrari strategy at its best, by the greatest living F1 boss around (Ross Brawn) second all time of course only to Il commendatore.

 

Okay, I understand now.

However, after MS pitted and was picked up by the SC, why wasn't pit exit closed forcing RB to wait until the field passed?

Seems to me that the pit entrance should be closed until the SC picks up the leaders. While what happened seems legal, it sure doesn't seem fair.

 

That's exactly right. As the Ferraris and others pitted the safety car was leaving the other end of the pitlane. Sato and co. then had to pick their way very carefully through the debris from Ralf's accident (especially as Sato says he had seen Alonso spin off after a puncture from the first lap accident debris). In any case, I don't think it made much difference. BAR made a big mistake in not pitting at that point. Even if Michael had come out behind them they would only have made maybe 5 seconds before they had to pit themselves.

 

Did you watch Monaco???? The 1st and 2nd place cars at the end of the race pitted under yellow and were flying around the track {under yellow} to pit and come out in front. But now that Ferrari does it, it's a big deal. You guys are weak.

 

If that were true, Monaco's results should be thrown out. Selective memory when it comes to Ferrari?

 

No, Not really, please read the post that has the FIA rules about this that is posted earlier in this thread, they are clear on this. It is just a question, We are not being anti anything or anybody.

 

I think 'at reduced speed' is a bit of a lose term. As I saw it (on TV only), the safety car exited the pits and was part way round the lap by the time Michael exited the pitlane after his pitstop. At that point Sato is still behind Michael because of the time it has taken picking his way through Ralf's debris. Michael then catches up with the safety car, with Sato behind and this is still on the lap after Ralf's accident. The safety car didn't need to wave anyone through (unless it caught a Minardi or anything) and was not leading Sato through the debris because it hadn't got there yet (the safety car had to do an entire lap at its spped whereas Sato and co only had to do half a lap at their speed to reach the scene of Ralf's accident). Of course, when the message comes out that the safety car is deployed they all rush to the pits or whatever 'at reduced speed' as the rules dictate. But that only means they make sure not to set their fastest sector times while there doing so. A tenth or two down is fine.