I just finished watching the race on the BBC iPlayer and I have to say Schumacher's punishment was complete bullpoo despite what the rules say; if the overtaking line is before the finish line and the safety car is already in the pit lane then overtaking should be allowed, why have a different rule for the final lap? I agree with Denthul; if the race is to finish under the safety car then the safety car should have stayed out on track until the finish line was crossed. I don't think that Damon Hill was after revenge; he wasn't the only steward involved; the rules do state no overtaking on the last lap when the safety car comes in.
But well done to Mark Webber for driving a faultless race; and it's a shame that Kubica got jumped at the start as he was generally faster than Vettel but not quote fast enough to overtake the German. Alonso was fortunate that the safety car periods panned out as they did to be honest but all credit to Alonso for taking his opportunities. I think that Jenson has good reason to complain after his engine went kaput under low stress conditions; this race has certainly shaken up the wdc standings with Webber and Vettel on equal points. To be honest the overtake by Schumacher was the best moment of the race for me. No wonder drivers dont attempt risky overtaking moves any more when they get penalised for being adventurous and trying to make up places by taking a few calculated risks.
Agreed. This is Motor racing! How many times have I said that on this forum! I also agree that Damon would not be after revenge, but bad decision never the less. Disappointing Damon!
No, it's not a bad
decision it's a bad
rule. Big difference between the two. On actually reading what is written in the rules it's unfortunately pretty clear. The execution however was horrendous today. Safety car in, green flags waved
before the start / finish straight, green light on, every driver hard on the accelerators. It's a really bad rule that should either be;
1. amended so that overtaking
is permitted under this type of situation (i.e. track clear, green flags waving - indicating
normal racing conditions with
no reason
not to be able to race).
or 2. changed so that the safety car does
not come in on the last lap but stays out until cars have
actually crossed the finishing line.
This was in no way Damon Hill's fault. With the wording of the rules there was literally no other decision he could have reached.
Also, the range of punishment open is shown as being very flawed here. To me (and I believe most normal thinking objective people), given how easy under the circumstances presented it would have been to be confused as to whether overtaking was permitted or not, the
only appropriate punishment without being overly relaxed or strict would be that positions revert to as they were under the safety car - i.e. Alonso 6th, Schumi 7th. No other course of action should be applied as far as I'm concerned.
Favourite racing series: F1, Indycar, NASCAR, GP2, F3, Formula E, Trophee Andros, DTM, WTCC, BTCC, World Endurance... etc. etc.