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Mercedes violated pit stop regulations in Spain

Discussion in 'F1' started by ferrariformulauno, May 17, 2018.

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  1. ferrariformulauno

    ferrariformulauno Formula 3

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    #1 ferrariformulauno, May 17, 2018
    By: Wesley Branton | May 16, 2018 @ 9:35 PM

    There has been a lot of criticism of Ferrari following the Spanish Grand Prix. There are a lot of rumors circulating about how Ferrari may be stretching the regulations. But it’s important to note that during the race, Mercedes did break the regulations and not get in trouble for it. In fact, it may have been something that caused Ferrari to make the late pit stop under the virtual safety car.


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    When the VSC was deployed, Lewis Hamilton was 20 seconds ahead of Sebastian Vettel. Vettel, in the sole remaining Ferrari, was a few seconds clear of Valtteri Bottas. During the VSC, there was a lot of activity in the Mercedes garage, with the TV broadcast showing the Mercedes crew waiting with the tyres out and ready to go.

    Here’s where there is a bit of uncertainty. From the television broadcast, it sounds like the Ferrari mechanics were first to setup at their pit box and then Mercedes responded to that. However, there was no video footage of the team garages at that time, so there is no visual evidence.

    Even though both teams were in their respective pit boxes, only Ferrari pitted. Mercedes did not pit Bottas, as originally expected. So, the mechanics returned to the garage. However, this is technically against the regulations.

    Article 28.12 of the 2018 FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations clearly states that: “Team personnel are only allowed in the pit lane immediately before they are required to work on a car and must withdraw as soon as the work is complete.”

    The issue is that this regulation is never enforced. Racing Clothesline reported on how Mercedes did this back at the 2015 British Grand Prix and various other teams have done the same thing without penalty. If it is enforced, the regulation could prevent teams from faking other teams into making a pit stop.

    Since it’s never enforced, it’s justified that Mercedes didn’t get penalized for it. However, it’s still technically a rule violation.
     
    Nospinzone, of2worlds, crinoid and 1 other person like this.
  2. jgonzalesm6

    jgonzalesm6 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 jgonzalesm6, May 17, 2018

    I heard about this but it was spun like this to where: Mercedes mechanics were first to to "act" like they were going to do a 2nd pit stop thereby making Ferrari commit to a 2nd pit stop since everyone eye's Mercedes and there pit stop strategy. So Ferrari made the 2nd pit stop and Mercedes "faked" it.

    This was not the case after knowing Vettels car was chewing up mediums. So regardless, Ferrari had to make a 2nd pit stop.
     
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  3. DF1

    DF1 Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 DF1, May 17, 2018
    Is there a rule against 'changing your mind' collectively as a team???
     
  4. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #4 GordonC, May 17, 2018
    It's not uncommon for a team with a car battling another to instruct their driver "do the opposite of driver X - if he pits, you stay out. If he stays out, you pit" They want to try the overcut or undercut, but pitting at the same lap as the car you're fighting ensures you come out of the pits in the same position you entered if neither car has a pit problem.

    So, to be ready to "do the opposite", the team will need to be ready for the pit stop, but the car might not come in depending on the actions of the other car. This scenario is not Mercedes or Ferrari specific, but they both do it as well as most of the other teams that are actually fighting on track and approaching a pit stop.
     
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  5. ricksb

    ricksb F1 Veteran

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    #5 ricksb, May 17, 2018
    Kind of a wonky article....undercut/overcut strategy has been a staple in the current era of F1. Ferrari used to be the masters of the fake pit stop (with Schu)
     
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  6. Jeronimo GTO

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    #6 Jeronimo GTO, May 17, 2018
    Much ado about nothing... IMO.
     
  7. TifosiUSA

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    #7 TifosiUSA, May 17, 2018

    They do this almost every race then claim "they changed their minds" on stopping. That said its a stupid rule they should just do away with it.
     
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  8. crinoid

    crinoid F1 Veteran
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    #8 crinoid, May 17, 2018
    No. It’s against the regulations and arguably cost us a race.
     
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  9. tervuren

    tervuren Formula 3

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    #9 tervuren, May 17, 2018
    Very True.
     
  10. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

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    #10 beast, May 17, 2018
    The FIA just needs to rewrite the rules. "No pit crew member is allowed to step outside of the garage until there car has entered the pit lane speed limiter area." that would put an end to all the mind games in the pit lane.
     
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  11. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    #11 BMW.SauberF1Team, May 17, 2018
    Agreed.

    MB have been doing this many times now. It's not an isolated incident.
     
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  12. jjmalez

    jjmalez F1 Veteran
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    #12 jjmalez, May 17, 2018
    I thought the OP was going to refer to the Mercedes guy eyeing up the Ferrari tires in the Ferrari garage!

    pfft!
     
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  13. stavura

    stavura Formula 3

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    #13 stavura, May 17, 2018
    And that!
     
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  14. jgonzalesm6

    jgonzalesm6 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 jgonzalesm6, May 17, 2018

    I would have gestured him to get out and had my arms up like a cross pattern and moving towards him. If we made contact, then I would have used my weight to push him back without grabbing him.

    Surprised the pit crew let that happen.
     
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  15. Lotaz

    Lotaz Formula 3

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    #15 Lotaz, May 17, 2018
    This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
     
  16. stavura

    stavura Formula 3

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    #16 stavura, May 17, 2018
    Lol :D
     
  17. tifoso2728

    tifoso2728 F1 Veteran
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    #17 tifoso2728, May 17, 2018
    Seeing as how this rule has never been enforced, let it go. At this point, it's only so much whinging.
     
  18. DeSoto

    DeSoto F1 Veteran

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    #18 DeSoto, May 18, 2018
    This is like the "no team orders" rule: it was impossible to enforce, so nobody cared. Just forget about it.
     

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