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[Denthúl]

i see the FIA are to change the rule for Q3 so the cars dont slow down...... but although this is good you cant just change rules mid season its a joke... it cost mclaren at least 1 place on the podium maybe even 2 places.... the last race should be void and re-run as last race of the season......

Why should it be void? The drivers cost themselves those podium places. They got penalised for impeding other cars during qualifying, so I can't see how their own mistakes and breaking of rules that are already in place should warrant the race being void.

rules that were already in place? why are they changing them after said incident?

Yes. The rule that says you shouldn't impede other drivers on hot laps during qualifying sessions. Everyone seems to be thinking that they were penalised for going slowly around the track on their in lap, but that isn't the case. The rule alterations are going to include something about the speed that in and out laps have to be to prevent this kind of thing (the slow driving) from happening.

[bud]

Yes i see your point but the point im trying to make is the cars off the line travelling at the same speed were also impeding the guys on the hotlaps.

for if they were not the only rule tweak they would need to make is HEY on your in lap stay OFF the racing line.

but going slow is dangerous and dangerous would tend to lead towards being an imparemant to a driver no?

just an assumption of logic huh

[Denthúl]

It is. But you wouldn't have to duck and dive between slow cars if they were all on the other side of the track. I'm not saying it was right, but the penalties were handed out to the right drivers for the right reasons. And, seeing that moving off the line whilst going slowly can still cause a hazard, the rules are being altered.

Look at it this way: if a car was on an out lap during qualifying under last year's Q3 regulations and a faster car, on a hot lap, came up behind it then they would move off-line to allow them to pass. That wasn't considered blocking. So, in fairness, the cars that were off the line and trying to be out of the way were in the right (except for their speed, but there is no rule for that so there is no appropriate sanction either) whilst those on the line were in the wrong.

[bud]

You would think Race Control would have had blue flags though wouldnt you? How were they to know aside from the radio which isnt always the most effective piece of eqipment.

Meh gone are the days of the skilled qualifier timing when to go out and avoid traffic and do his thing.

i would just like to add after sifting through regs on FIA's website there is no black and white ruling in regards to impeding. Its up to the Stewards to decide if a driver was impeded and even then it says its for deliberate impedement.