F1 Baku SPOILERS HEREIN
#76
In this era of no in season testing, I completely disagree. It's the engineers and aerodynamasists that build a great. That's not to say Vettel isn't a great driver, because he clearly is and we can see his performance as compared to his teammate. However, the previous 2 years when the Ferrari was the 2nd or 3rd best car, he couldn't elevate the performance. It's also not Ferrari's style to be openly critical of their #1 driver -- it's all kept in house. Did anyone even know that Alonso and Ferrari did not leave on good terms? Not really.
Rumors are that if Vettel doesn't sign a contract for 2018 and beyond, there's a verbal agreement with Ricciardo to take his seat.
With regard to the FIA and punishing Vettel, when Vettel made those comments, he was in the cockpit and didn't have the luxury of having any data in front of him. The FIA provided those, he admitted guilt and apologized. The 10 seconds penalty may not have been strong enough for some, but that penalty ultimately resulted in him losing the race win and a podium spot -- a pretty stiff penalty considering.
Rumors are that if Vettel doesn't sign a contract for 2018 and beyond, there's a verbal agreement with Ricciardo to take his seat.
With regard to the FIA and punishing Vettel, when Vettel made those comments, he was in the cockpit and didn't have the luxury of having any data in front of him. The FIA provided those, he admitted guilt and apologized. The 10 seconds penalty may not have been strong enough for some, but that penalty ultimately resulted in him losing the race win and a podium spot -- a pretty stiff penalty considering.
But IMO if Seb goes on to win the championship you had better believe that Maranello will do everything they can to keep him. Then, it will be Seb's call whether he stays or goes (to Mercedes)......
Now, if the penalty and loss of championship points he received for sheer stupidity results in them LOSING the championship.....
Gary
#77
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After reading the sporting regs again and watching that video, there is justification to penalize HAM also.
See article 39.5 below:
39.5 No car may be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person at any time whilst the safety car is deployed. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane.
HAM clearly violated that and could/should face penalty. Still doesn't justify VETs response IMO.
See article 39.5 below:
39.5 No car may be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person at any time whilst the safety car is deployed. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane.
HAM clearly violated that and could/should face penalty. Still doesn't justify VETs response IMO.
The fact remains that the telemetry in the Twitter link in this thread looks like Hamilton did apply brakes after the apex. Regardless if the telemetry is delayed or not, Hamilton does not engage the throttle after the apex either. Based on the distance between Hamilton and the pace car, to me that is clearly "unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers".
#78
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#79
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One thing I think we can count on is that this will not be the last VET/HAM collision this season. Prost/Senna v2.0.