The race Stewards are acting on behalf of the FIA Bergkamp. So in this sense, it is one and the same thing. The FIA make the rules and appoint Stewards who referee upon them, just as a football referee interprets the laws of Association Football, as dictated by its governing body: FIFA. Also; like FIFA as I understand, the FIA can impose penalties upon competitors regardless of any referee's decision, although once again as with football, most decisions are left with the referees at the time of the incident - or as close to it as possible, since the nature of motor racing is quite different, often needing retrospective analysis which may not be immediately available.
Fred: yes and no. - Yes the Stewards (please see my post above). - No to the warnings which have already been issued; the argument being that this is a new rule and should begin with a clean slate so that everyone knows where they stand from its inception.
Sarge raises a good point. I think the driver's argument was that they could not show a lift when on a closed throttle, but at the same time were going slower than they could have done on the new tyres (with a corresponding increase in safety due to the extra grip afforded). But although it would appear a valid point, this was not allowed for in the rules as they existed. The result of this was that a compromise needed to be arrived at, since the drivers were technically in breach of a rule but that rule was also somewhat inadequate, particularly when one bears in mind the huge difference in performance afforded by the new tyres, which had no precedent. The compromise was effectively: "Our rule wasn't very tight and you guys have a point. But we still had a rule, even if flawed. Therefore we will tell you that you were naughty boys but we are going to be reasonable adults…"
Well I'm an on and off Marshal at brands hatch, and nothing makes my **** itch more is a racer tearing it up in a yellow flag zone while marshals are out. Racing's fun and dangerous on all sides, but nobody should act like a tosser if he thinks he can get a few tenths over his rival. If he thinks like that, maybe I should tie him up and stick him on the M25 and then do a break test towards him while doing 100 mph. I'll look the bee's knees if I'm succesful, but i'm going to look like a twat if I kill him. What am I on about? The M25 is too busy to hit 60mph let alone 100mph..........back to the drawing board then..........nah fk it I'll post it anyway they don't care.
You marshalls are heroes and motor racing simply doesn't happen without you. Sincerely, I owe you a lifetime (and perhaps my life). I want to say thanksââ¬Â¦
phew - all I wanted WAS 'is it stewards or FIA? seems like stewards on the day - unlikely to be over-ruled by FIA.
I think Cosi's Fifa analogy is pretty spot on. As to the reprimand, I think it was fair, i was always told to maintain position on yellow, if you overtook you'd get a penalty, otherwise keep your speed as high as possible, unless you were unsighted through the cautionary area.
