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#309882
I think Vettel poses a valid question. Why the double standard?

The stewards were more than happy to bring out the safety car when he was over 20 seconds in the lead. After Vettel retired, a similar accident occurred in which no safety car was brought out. Now that Alonso was in the lead.

I'm not sure if there were Spaniards at race control, so can't say whether this conspiracy claim was legit. However, seeing those marshals jumping for joy when Vettel's car stopped made me sick.

And I might point out, while Vettels car was being pushed off the track there was a green flag? Were the marshalls busy celebrating? Anyone could have been seriously injured or killed.

Back to the issue at hand. People are now getting very quick at jumping to accusing Vettel of being a sore loser. I can't say that I believe Vettel, but I think his passion to win admirable.

And he has raised a valid question that should be addressed. Has Teflonso struck again? It would seem silly to suggest this also, because there is no way that anyone could have known that Vettel's car would fail or Grosjeans even.

However, the question I do wonder is, was there a double-standard imposed after Vettel had retired from the race and Alonso was leading?

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/181255/1/vettel_caned_for_conspiracy_claim.html

Sebastian Vettel's claim that the safety car that interrupted Sunday's European Grand Prix was somehow aimed at derailing what appeared to be a runaway win has been panned by fellow countryman Hans-Joachim Stuck.

Both Vettel and Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko were quoted in certain sections of the German media as believing that there had been no concrete basis for the safety car deployment on lap 28 of the race in Valencia, despite Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne's misguided move on Caterham rival Heikki Kovalainen had left debris from both cars spread over the circuit.

Vettel apparently claimed that the neutralisation of the race, when he held a near 20-second lead, was called not just to clear the shards of carbon-fibre but also 'to break our neck' in a NASCAR-style attempt at reinfusing some excitement into the proceedings. The double world champion was adamant that running at reduced pace - and increased temperatures - led to his eventual retirement one lap after the restart.

“It just went to sh*t,” Vettel told Germany's Sky channel, “I think it was clear to see that [until then] we were pulling away without problems.

“I think we could have been spared the safety car period, [but] I think the reason is clear. I don't think there was a danger. There were pieces on the track earlier [following the collision involving Bruno Senna and Kamui Kobayashi] and it was acceptable, [so] I think, in a sense, the safety car was to break our neck."

Marko made reference to NASCAR's policy of 'throwing a yellow' in a bid to spice up the show, which has led to the suspicion that cautions are called for 'phantom' debris, but has joined Vettel in being warned to cool his claims for fear of attracting the wrath of the FIA.

“Sebastian Vettel should learn to be a good loser,” former F1 and sportscar ace Stuck told Germany's Yahoo Eurosport, “It was clear there was debris on the circuit, representing a danger of puncture to the other cars. For that reason, the safety car was justified."

Stuck also suggested that any car that failed because it was running behind the safety car would be because 'it is designed wrong'.

Sky's Marc Surer, himself a former F1 racer, also claimed that there could be no basis for Vettel's claims, insisting that the call had been the right one, if only for the safety for the trackworkers attempting to clear the circuit.
#309883
These accusations of fixing will do nothing for Seb or his reputation as a likeable guy. :nono:

I heard him in the post race interviews, saying that his technical issues were brought on by the safety car, as if accusing race control of causing his retirement. The problem lies with the bloody alternator and whoever was responsible for fitting it in the car, because nobody else retired as soon as the safety car pulled in (apart from Grosjean, of course, a good deal later).

I wonder if that w!nker Helmut Marko has endorsed this :bs:
#309885
Whilst I would HOPE that the descision for Safety Car (which I thought was Charley Whitings?), would not be affected by anything other than real safety concerns, I would whole heartedly agree that the marshalls were unbelievabley biased on Sunday, who didn't seem to care about doing their jobs when Alonso went into the lead !
#309900
They needed a SC Vergnes stupidity in driving too fast causing debris to be littered all over the track was cause enough.
And i agree on not calling a SC at the end, I'm sure they didn't in the closing stages as race control didn't want the chequered flag to happen behind a SC. I don't think it was to help Alonso as its Charlie's call.

And what do you expect from Latin people? They are an emotional lot, I'm sure the marshals at Monza are just as biased towards Ferrari.
#309903
I agree that there was a HUGE foul up when they didn't at least have yellow flags waving in sector 3 where vettel's car was being pushed off the road. Someone could absolutely have been injured or killed.

About the safety car due to debris...I think the first incident scattered some debris but not enough to warrant a safety car, and then after the second incident scattered even more debris, charlie whiting decided 'ok this sh1t is adding up, let's get it cleaned up before people start getting punctures left and right while doing 180mph+' In essence, I don't think either collision alone would have warranted a safety car due to debris, but together they added enough debris to warrant a safety car.
#309905
So whoever ordered the deployment of the safety car did so deliberately knowing it would overheat Vettels car! They probably knew Hamiltons jacks would fail too. /tinfoil_hat

Didn't DC say there was part of a wheel on the track after Vernes incident and that was likely the reason for the safety car?
#309932
I'm not really yet to have an opinion on this. Initially I started writing that Vettel is a sore loser and what an idiot for coming up with such a claim... but then I thought, hmmmm.... maybe he does have a point? :confused:

So I need the help from YOU - the general formula one public, to help me to form an opinion.

However, I will be more persuaded by Vlad and Andrew here... :P
#309933
It's impossible for it to be FIXED....this didn't involve Massa crashing out to bring a SC and hand another meaningless win to Alonso.

But I agree with a few here talking about the marshals lives being in danger wheeling away the car, that was a very scary moment. Not talked about much probably because of all the action at the end....but it's smth they need to make sure never happens again.
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