Formula 1 RACING-Page 2: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Sept. 11, 2008 10:48 a.m. GordonD New Reader

Not a big Hamilton fan but think he was robbed on this one.

The real question about all this is why the smart folks in motor racing let the evil dwarf and his sado-masochistic henchman run everything.

Bernie's only in it for Bernie and all the tracks will end up in "3rd world" countries which a) have huge oil revenues to spend b) loose advertising rules and c) can pay the huge fees needed to host a race.

Lets get some team in there who loves the sport and want to do things to improve its fan appeal.
Sept. 11, 2008 11:50 a.m. Capt Slow New Reader

Put yourself in the lead car and have that happen - you would cry foul

Only if I was driving a Ferrari or if my name was Alonso...
Sept. 11, 2008 12:31 p.m. PHeller Reader

I don't know what they expected Hamilton to do?

If I brake late, still in control, but your slower, I've gotta go somewhere, so I go into a run off area that puts me in front of you, but I let you back out in front which could potentially make me lose the race.

Or...I could smash into the back of your carbon fiber car and we'll both be out.

Or...I could ride your tail around the corner, and end up passing you later anyhow...
Sept. 11, 2008 9:14 p.m. maroon92 SuperDork

option 3 is the logical one! Passing takes patience!
Sept. 15, 2008 7:11 a.m. PDoane New Reader

During the Monza (a track full of chicanes) race coverage they said the subject came up at the driver's meeting and Charlie Whiting said something like "let the othe car by for at least one more corner"

Seems kind of ironic since Monza has some chicanes where the next corner is pretty far down the track. I also noted that the surprise winner at Monze (Vetel) shortcut the chicane while leading handily. What does he do to "negate the advantage"?
Sept. 15, 2008 9:11 a.m. walterj HalfDork

PDoane wrote: During the Monza (a track full of chicanes) race coverage they said the subject came up at the driver's meeting and Charlie Whiting said something like "let the othe car by for at least one more corner"

Seems kind of ironic since Monza has some chicanes where the next corner is pretty far down the track.

The answer that the officials want the drivers to come up with is "Don't cut the chicanes or it will cost you".

PDoane wrote: I also noted that the surprise winner at Monze (Vetel) shortcut the chicane while leading handily. What does he do to "negate the advantage"?

That is a good question - I think what should happen is that anyone who cuts a chicane should get a drive-thru and it is explained in the driver's meeting beforehand so there are no excuses. Ever watch Aussie V8 Supercars? They get hammered for cheating on the curbs and everyone knows the deal so they don't do it.

I like how Monza has those giant Styrofoam blocks in the one that you have to zig-zag thru. It would handily solve the problem everywhere... just make chicanes impossible to cut with soft barriers.
Sept. 15, 2008 9:15 a.m. carguy123 HalfDork

I've watched the video over and over and the Ferrari clearly pushed Hamilton off the track and onto the chicane area. So he precipitated the event.

Hamilton slowed, ducked in behind but was even so he was running faster than the Ferrari. Why I don't know since they had clearly been evenly matched prior to this and the Ferrari had been running ahead of everyone for sooooo long.

He then popped out and passed. So he didn't profit from the off which didn't happen due to an error on his part and he followed the rules so give it back to him. The rules as they are currently written don't have a time limit or a distance written into them. If they want to do that then do it but that shouldn't be retroactive. Ferrari didn't even protest this as they thought it was a legal move. The stewards on the track at the time thought it was a legal move. It was only in hindsight that someone thought it might not have been worth pursuing.

I don't believe they can put a rule like "let the car by for at least one more coner" and expect it to be followed.