FORUMula1.com

[LifeW12]

Hill finally gets to talk about this:

[FerrariFan63]

Here's what Damon had to say http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/175779/Formula-One-Damon-Hill-s-tough-call-over-Michael-Schumacher

It doesn't say very much. He doesn't go into the facts upon which the decision was made.

[MAD MAX]

No I agree, I put it up as it must have been uneasy for Damon to have been on the stewards panel. Looking forward to seeing the outcome of Mercedes appeal

[MAD MAX]

Watch the youtube clip, at the very start of the clip, look at the bottom of the screen taken from the last corner, you can clearly see a green flag being waved, that means the race is live at that point as per FIA - Green flag = A hazard has been cleared up and the cars can proceed at racing speed. !!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSaroZ1BaNA

[MAD MAX]

Look at the following clip at 20 seconds in. Above the cars even the electronic flag is showing green, is that not proof that the race was live at that point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jRbao_kNc&feature=related

[JamesToohey]

Look at the following clip at 20 seconds in. Above the cars even the electronic flag is showing green, is that not proof that the race was live at that point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jRbao_kNc&feature=related

I totally agree, it's so simple. The race was back on as the safety car was in and the green flags were waving. There is absolutely no rule violation.

I am not an MS or RB fan, but they are 100% correct and if the penalty is no lifted well that's utter bs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQerOq_7DcA&NR=1

[MAD MAX]

The FIA need to overturn their decision on this. As far as all the drivers were concerned the race was still life after the s.c exited the track, the yellow flags went green both hand held and electronic. A bloody disgraceful verdict

[EwanM]

It isn't a disgraceful verdict. The verdict stand.

Hardlines to those who wish to dig into Ferrari or claim it is Damon Hill merely getting his "own back"...



It is a terrible rule and one which really just complicates the safety car proceedure, given the introduction of racing after the first line.

However, it is clearly there in black and white and it was introduced to make sure that the winner of each race took the flag without the safety car in picture.

Now Schumacher's move was very daring and on any other lap he would have had to be applauded for his quick thinking. However, this time it did not work. I think the time penalty was a bit excessive when the positions could have been swapped around, however again that is written in the rules and so the stewards had to carry the appropriate penalty.

Now it doesn't matter if there were green flags waving or anything, or that because the timing screens said SC in this lap. Quite frankly it would appear that that was an all mighty chicken up by the race director.

Pity we keep getting the same arguments thrown in to this thread now.

[Gaz]

Why can't charlie broadcast to all the teams/drivers to claify situations like this.

You got Mclaren saying to LH - "No Overtaking Lewis"

Then Brawn saying to the Merc Boys "take a shot after SC goes in"

We head Mark Webber talking to Charlie during the race, why not have Charlie able to send to all drivers.

"Charlie here, SC in this lap NO OVERTAKING"

then there is absoulty no doubt at all with the teams or drivers.

[EwanM]

Hill says he has received hate mail. Will these losers just give it up?

Is this going to be the case when every driver steward makes a decision which is controversial?

E.g.
"Oh Nigel Mansell I hate you, you gave Lewis Hamilton a penalty for blocking in qualifying because you couldn't fit in the 1995 McLaren and you didn't get on with Ron Dennis.

Signed
I should watch more F1"

[Gaz]

Hill says he has received hate mail. Will these losers just give it up?

Is this going to be the case when every driver steward makes a decision which is controversial?

E.g.
"Oh Nigel Mansell I hate you, you gave Lewis Hamilton a penalty for blocking in qualifying because you couldn't fit in the 1995 McLaren and you didn't get on with Ron Dennis.

Signed
I should watch more F1"

Anyway.
Notice the Yellow flags?



Green Flags..




Why cause confusion?

[billindenver]

When a decision has millions of dollars/pounds hanging in the balance...there is going to be heat if it is controversial. If you can't stand the heat...stay out of the kitchen. If you can't take the emails, don't put yourself in the position where a decision might be yours. A plea for sympathy after the fact is all the more pathetic. I was on Hill's side when reading the rulebook, but after seeing video of the green flags waving....how a driver of his standing could rule against Schumacher (the devil incarnate) is beyond me.

[Gaz]

When a decision has millions of dollars/pounds hanging in the balance...there is going to be heat if it is controversial. If you can't stand the heat...stay out of the kitchen. If you can't take the emails, don't put yourself in the position where a decision might be yours. A plea for sympathy after the fact is all the more pathetic. I was on Hill's side when reading the rulebook, but after seeing video of the green flags waving....how a driver of his standing could rule against Schumacher (the devil incarnate) is beyond me.

Its not just Hill though.

[EwanM]

They should make you driver steward bill...

[billindenver]

When a decision has millions of dollars/pounds hanging in the balance...there is going to be heat if it is controversial. If you can't stand the heat...stay out of the kitchen. If you can't take the emails, don't put yourself in the position where a decision might be yours. A plea for sympathy after the fact is all the more pathetic. I was on Hill's side when reading the rulebook, but after seeing video of the green flags waving....how a driver of his standing could rule against Schumacher (the devil incarnate) is beyond me.

Its not just Hill though.

Certainly not....but I have not read any quotes from the other stewards talking to the press. He is keeping himself in the spotlight by talking about it and having been around the press his whole career, he knows this and is enjoying the attention. Its also entirely possible that none of them noticed the green flags during playback. We (the internet experts of F1) have the advantage of hindsight and a lot of spare time to look over video. I applaud them for making an immediate decision rather than spend days deciding. I think they may have gone the wrong way but that is what the appeal process is for. The stewards should be encouraged, if not required, to act quickly like that and if they get it wrong because of the quick action...it should not be held against them. I retract my earlier skepticism and congratulate them on a quick decision...right or wrong.