FORUMula1.com

[yamashek]

Who is going to sport a Williams F1 avatar?!

[LewEngBridewell]

Who is going to sport a Williams F1 avatar?!

Denthúl?

[darwin dali]

Time to display a Red Bull avatar or somtin'?

RBR weren't too glamorous today either.

I know, but I was referring to your youth sins back when You could choose a prancing horse if you like...

[LewEngBridewell]

Time to display a Red Bull avatar or somtin'?

RBR weren't too glamorous today either.

I know, but I was referring to your youth sins back when You could choose a prancing horse if you like...

Of all the things!!!!!

I was a naughty boy back then yes, but I've grown up now.

[darwin dali]

Time to display a Red Bull avatar or somtin'?

RBR weren't too glamorous today either.

I know, but I was referring to your youth sins back when You could choose a prancing horse if you like...

Of all the things!!!!!

I was a naughty boy back then yes, but I've grown up now.

[LewEngBridewell]

[darwin dali]

Come to Momma!

[LewEngBridewell]

Come to Momma!

[darwin dali]

Come to Momma!

[What's Burning?]

What I don't understand is why punish Hamilton with starting from the back of the grid? I'm comfortable with McLaren once again f*ing up, its been par for their course of late, but why the back of the grid? Some cars didn't even run, if McLaren had chosen the same route, the worst off he'd be would be starting from tenth spot. It was a harsh penalty for any driver.

[darwin dali]

What I don't understand is why punish Hamilton with starting from the back of the grid? I'm comfortable with McLaren once again f*ing up, its been par for their course of late, but why the back of the grid? Some cars didn't even run, if McLaren had chosen the same route, the worst off he'd be would be starting from tenth spot. It was a harsh penalty for any driver.

I see it as it not being a grid penalty - he was disqualified from quali and then readmitted to the grid (based on his performances in practice similar to the 107% rule).

[What's Burning?]

What I don't understand is why punish Hamilton with starting from the back of the grid? I'm comfortable with McLaren once again f*ing up, its been par for their course of late, but why the back of the grid? Some cars didn't even run, if McLaren had chosen the same route, the worst off he'd be would be starting from tenth spot. It was a harsh penalty for any driver.

I see it as it not being a grid penalty - he was disqualified from quali and then readmitted to the grid (based on his performances in practice similar to the 107% rule).

It's probably all arbitrary... until someone shows the clearly delineated penalty stated for just such and infraction... given the wishy-washyness of the F1 rulebook, does anyone think that's not the case?

[racechick]

My first post and all I can say is "UNBELIEVABLE!"

Au contraire: very believable judging from what McLaren has been doing this season...

Unfortunately your comment is technically correct. I'm embarrassed as a fan of McLaren. What's sadder is that this level of performance off the race track doesn't seem to bother them that much (from a fan's perspective). Lewis couldn't have done any more than blow away his opponents by throwing the heap on pole over half a second when the car wasn't perfect (especially compared to Button) and again, scuppered by really dodgy actions from, today, the garage (previous races, the pit lane).

I was so optimistic at the beginning of the season. Now I find myself being negative and an alarmist, which I hate. It pains me to say, at this rate, the WCC is highly unlikely, worst yet the WDC. Why? A first class team (the likes of McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull) should be starting the season very crisp in terms of approach, leadership, consistency and effort, regardless of whether the car is good or not. McLaren are behaving as though they were a new entry into the series, never having done this bit before. I'm putting this full spectrum of fiascos thus far on leadership. The team goes as does the leadership. Uncle Ron, where art thou?

If Lewis gets into the points on race day, it will be an absolute miracle and dream. I remain hopeful.

I think Uncle Ron's patience must be wearing sorely thin! Each race I become less enchanted with McLaren, and even with F1. To watch the race tomorrow or not to bother?..that is the question.

[The Second Coming]

What I don't understand is why punish Hamilton with starting from the back of the grid? I'm comfortable with McLaren once again f*ing up, its been par for their course of late, but why the back of the grid? Some cars didn't even run, if McLaren had chosen the same route, the worst off he'd be would be starting from tenth spot. It was a harsh penalty for any driver.

It's difficult to argue the fairness of the penalty. As a fan of over two decades, I'm not sure I have ever been able to anticipate a penalty with 100% certainty. They all seem rather nebulous. So with that said, my focus is more on the team putting themselves in a position to risk a penalty, especially one this obvious. They couldn't possibly think the stewards were just going to rap them on the knuckles and utter "Naughty, naughty!" as they usher them out the door. McLaren of all teams shouldn't take those risks because when they get penalized, they get PENALIZED.

Every team/driver who narrowly misses out on a championship can usually look back to one particular race and say "That's the one that did us/me in." I suspect McLaren and Lewis will be looking back at this one (that's assuming they don't have more outrageous cockups in future races). Bloody frustrating as a fan, especially of this driver and team.

[racechick]

I agree, there have been poor strategies, faulty gear box, 3 in one race pitstop screwups, but this one is the one that could loose Lewis the championship. 25points could go begging here. Ok bad things happen, but not this many!!