http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/25/karthikeyan-penalised-vettel-collision/ Seems I was mistaken in my view that it was a racing incident
Yes, but less average than Rosberg. He has never done anything of note, despite being in a well funded team with limitless technical resources.
I watched the extended highlights on the BBC as I don't have Sky (so sadly no Brundle either) From the footage, there seemed to be several pit box unsafe releases but nothing on the programme about penalties. Lap 15 - loads on unsafe releases and one car had to stop after release to let others pass but I could only see from a distance as it was a wide shot so could not identify the cars. Lap 41 - Vettel released into the path of Raikkonen, to the point where Raikkonen had to brake. Did the FiA just give amnesties today? John.
Welcome to the forum! I didn't notice much of what you mention, though It was pretty crowded in the pits today, for obvious reasons, and think it made it more difficult for everyone. I would guess FIA took that into consideration.
That was my view too. Vettel gave Karthikeyan the chop, so did it to himself. Chrispa76 - thanks for your welcome. I am a 606 refugee and only getting back into it now that the season has started. John.
All what you are saying above could also be applied to Rosberg, massively overrated, what did he do to make you think that is better than Kobayashi, etc...
Well Im glad it isnt just me who cant understand this. Last week I was told The lead driver gets to pit first. Lewis on worn tyres was left out when asking to come in because he wasnt the lead driver. Today he was Lead driver. Yet first pitstop Button comes in first and almost takes Hamilton's lead, only superb driving saves the day. 2nd stop, Button comes in first and Hamilton does lose the lead. 3rd stop Button comes in first and Hamilton loses 10 seconds!!! to the cars in front and Vettel gains 10seconds on him. Now whats going on? I heard the radio say to BUtton "The slicks are 5 sec a lap faster than the inters" If Lewis was given this information do you think he would have just said "Nah lads, let Jens come in, I'll stop out a while":givemestrength:And if he wasnt given that information why wasnt he? Are his pit crew stupid? Are they incompetent? Has he got the duff outfit? Or is something else going on here?? Why wasnt Whitmarsh insisting Lewis came in?? he could have challenged for first place, Jenson was nowhere. Oh and apart from pitting him after Button every time, his pitstops were appalling.
I feel the Karthikeyan penalty is rather harsh. But should we really be that surprised? After all, Karthikeyan is a no-hoper to be thrown to the lions along with his up-start Hispanic team isn't he? I'll put it another way: Hell's Mutt Marko (and his Red Bull team) is doing his utmost to become as powerful as Lucifer Montezemolo (and his red devils). These guys carry a lot of clout with the powers within F1 and its governing body: the FIA. Converserly, HRT carry nothing but solid but slow test drivers, or worse - pay drivers. Vettel 'giving the finger' should have been punished for bringing F1 into disrepute, along with his reference to Karthikeyan as "an idiot" during his interview. There was no need for such arrogance; but then again, perhaps he knew the heavies would automatically back him?
But it was all true. Anyway, can't see how you can predict a top 5 finish after just a few laps. Wishful thinking given how badly Rosberg faded with the Merc chewing its tyres again.
Definitely, all politics. But if I were "the Kart" I'll do it on purpose next time; at the end of the day, what's 20 seconds for the last team on the grid? Penalty that is not such to keep a certain bunch happy without any real consequences
Yes. In such variable conditions, in the first instance it is a driver's call, although of course this may well be influenced by information passed from the race-engineer. And each driver has a separate race-engineer who's sole interest is to get the best performance from his/her side of the garage. It must be said that occasionally Hamilton is a little indecisive at the critical moment, perhaps relying too much on direction from his crew; as opposed to Button who tends to lead them by making the call himself. It must be borne in mind that it is the relationship between driver and engineer that forms the basis of the performance from respective sides of the garage. It should also be borne in mind that McLaren, more than any other team, do not give a preference to either side of the garage; rather, they let them fight it out. This is why Whitmarsh has a hands-off approach and prefers not to intervene. It is also the reason Ferrari (in particular but also Red Bull and Mercedes) prefer to do the exact opposite! It's all part of the philosophy and ethos of McLaren to let their guys go at it: something which I personally applaud, despite it perhaps being a weakness in variable conditions.
Yes, welcome John, but I disagree. I think Vettel's line was fine and the collision occurred only because Karthikeyan misjudged pulling into his slipstream.
