Williams-F1 blocking Schumacher from testing the F60.

I'd have to disagree... that poor kid didn't embarass himself and likely exceeded most folks expectations.

More troubling to me is the apperent attitude that fairness is in any way served by granting rule waivers. Fairness dictates that rules should apply to everyone, or no one.

 

Practice or no practice Schumi will:

1) Be "up to speed" by the end of the Valencia practice sesssions
2) Qualify in the top five
3) Finish on the podium

 

Thats the root cause of all the problems in F1 and that is why Ari MUST get the FIA job.

It even applied to new teams trying to enter F1 this year totally unfair Mosley is the problem fullstop.

 

Steve, I'd hazard a guess that your post rate will reduce by about 90% when Max has gone. What are you going to do with all your spare time?

 

Poor form from Ferrari on their comments re Williams; Williams already is suffering enough....

 

LOL ..I think I'll have to pick on Dave (Vizlsa) instead..

Your probably right though like you said I'll miss him when he's gone.. not!!..

Anyways MS's exploits will keep me posting I'm sure..

 

Aw, and I was gong to invite you for the Montreal race.

 

I'm coming like it or not!

Ermm putting ideas in my head I like it..

Do you drive there Dave.? your not that far from it are you what about 5 hours 300 or so miles.

 

I've driven to Montreal in the past and its a lovely ride going through Vermont.
Since when has 300 miles equaled 5 hours?
Actually once you pass into Canada the roads don't permit the same speed as the US Interstate does and 5 hours is about right..
BTW I hold the track record for the Montreal circuit. (For a Toyota RAV4 carrying two dogs a wife and luggage at least).

 

What I'm not hearing here is EXACTLY how Ferrari would be given the opportunity to "test and develop" the car in this situation. We all know the rules regarding the "test and development" ban - fine. Ferrari may not modify the car from when Schumacher drives it for practice, and when he races it. That shouldn't preclude ANY team from allowing Schumacher from test-driving the car for the purposes of familiarizing himself with the onboard controls, its handling characteristics, etc. There is a MILE of difference between unfair modifications to the car vs. allowing a driver to get familar with the machine so that it can be driven safely and effectively during Race-day. What will the howls of protest be if Schumacher causes an accident during the race, and other drivers are injured because he wasn't given sufficient seat-time to be a safe driver out there? It was clear to me that this was the core mission of the request made by Ferrari......if the car's mechanicals and electricals remain unchanged for the duration, how can anyone claim technical advantage was gained?

What technical advantages are gained if the seat and pedal placement is modified to accommodate Schumacher's frame/preferences vs. Massa's? There is an overwhelming lack of common-sense being exhibited here.

 

LOL I have a picture in my head dogs and wife faces pressed up to the windows and you smiling on two wheels..

Driving over here mate 300mls can = 5 hours.

 

With your car?
What's wrong with this picture?

Add dodging the cyclists and joggers and you're pretty close to what it must have looked like.

 

LOL
Traffic too much of it here Dave! try the M6 when your over here..I'm sure you lot will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.

 

Last time I as in the Highlands traffic wasn't an issue. Other than the sheep of course.

 

It appears we don't all know the rules regarding the test and development ban. You seem to imagine that the Ferrari must remain unchanged between now and the end of the season, or maybe between now and the next race. That is incorrect. The rules do not preclude development of the cars and unless Ferrari decide to do no more with this season's car in favour of working on next year's the F60 will/could continue to be developed within the rules until the last race.

One of the problems for constructors is the limitations on testing, giving MS the opportunity to drive the car would also give Ferrari an opportunity to test. Imagine they had designed a new bit of aero kit, they could bolt it onto MS's car when he was 'familiarising' himself with it and that piece of kit would be tested before the next race. Other manufacturers have to wait until free practice before the race to do the same thing.

 

Steve, I'm sure we'll not be denied your wisdom on a wide range of issues.

 

Bravo bravo!!!!!

 

+1 ... and anybody that thinks Ferrari would not take advantage of this "extra" test is a fool.

Pete

 

True, but this problem or fuss stems from the fact that in-season circuit testing is strictly prohibited, a regulation clearly laid out by the FIA and adhered to by all of the teams. As proven with Alguersuari he was thrown in at the deep end.

So Williams feels there is no difference between the two cases and they have a fair point.

IMO the rule is ridiculous purely on the grounds of safety for one. However for Williams it seems a harsh line to take but it is the rules the others seem ok with it but Ferrari IMO are out of order in there retort to Williams. It seems to me as usual another grey area where fair and common sense can be interpreted into a gentlemans agreement which are not in the rules!....thus you have conflict ..and you know who I blame for that..

 

Now imagine MS coming back into the pits after a run with the new kit:

Engineer: "Is it better?"
MS: "Than what?"

No matter what they put on the F60, it's gonna be a POS compared to the cars MS last ran.
You can't measure hundredths of a second via telemetry alone.


Just how much money does this stupid testing ban "save"?
(soapbox)
Here's why we're sick of Max:
Engineers come up with tests and evaluate the results.
Businessmen come up with business models and evaluate the profit and loss.
Politicians come up with "sound bytes" ..... and never never never look to see if they did any good ... or harm.
Which category does FIA now fall into?
(/soapbox)

 

He does 30 laps without the new kit, then 30 with it. QED