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[overboost]

Also here are the race directors notes for the German GP. The pit entry lines and even the bollard were specifically mentioned to the drivers for this race.

From Race directors notes on the FIA event page for Hockenheim:

Quote:
8 ) Lines or bollards at the pit entry and pit exit
8.1 In accordance with Chapter 4 (Section 5) of Appendix L to the ISC drivers must keep to the right of the white line at the pit exit when leaving the pits, no part of any car leaving the pits may cross this line.
8.2 For safety reasons drivers must stay to the right of the bollard at the pit entry when entering the pits.

https://www.fia.com/file/70745/download?token=OO5Dtk1p

[sagi58]

By the way here is what Kimi got for cutting the pit entry in Baku 2016:

Baku 2016 per Raik
FIA Stewards Decision

The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, examined video evidence, have considered the following matter, determine a breach of the regulations has been committed by the competitor named below and impose the penalty referred to.

Fact – Car 7 crossed the white line at the Pit Entry with all four wheels and did not enter the Pit Lane.

Offence – Breach of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 4 of the FIA International Sporting Code.

Decision – 5 Second Time Penalty (2 penalty points awarded, 5 points total for the 12 month period). Reason The driver crossed the white line separating the pit entry with all four wheels and did not enter the pit lane, as required in the Race Director’s Event Notes (item 6.3).

A five second penalty. In Germany this gives Bottas the well deserved victory. The one snatched away by Toto's order.

Why am I not surprised??

[sagi58]

...The problem is that the driver race steward changes from week to week, so inconsistencies creep in....

Just wondering... if the teams, the drivers, all the media can travel from one track to another, one country to another, why can't there be a team of Race Stewards who does the same thing? Sure, having local people is cheaper; but, as you say, it also causes a lot of problems..

Also, I like your suggestion of

... I would much prefer a system where offense X = punishment Y, let's not leave it up to the stewards to hand out punishment, all they need to do is decide whether the rule was broken and then hand down the indicated punishment for the crime.

Then, again, both of the above make too much sense to warrant a look-see!!

[sagi58]

...The other thing to consider is the 3 hours it took for the stewards to render their decision. That bollard is real easy to see! I would bet that a mere reprimand was not their first decision. Whiting surely interfered (for the good of the championship and 'for the show' of course).

I'm betting this won't happen again... IF Ferrari pulls this kind of STUNT!!

[myownalias]

I willing to bet that there were some backroom deals being done by Mercedes before the race ended... for the show of course, although a 5-second penalty would have been better for the championship show as the title gap would have been less and Bottas would have been the bride instead of the bridesmaid yet again.

[sagi58]

I'm betting that Bottas, unlike Rosberg, will never be the bride.

[myownalias]

I'm betting that Bottas, unlike Rosberg, will never be the bride.

Of course not, Bottas is to Hamilton, what Raikkonen is to Vettel; good little #2 drivers.

[sagi58]

I'm betting that Bottas, unlike Rosberg, will never be the bride.

Of course not, Bottas is to Hamilton, what Raikkonen is to Vettel; good little #2 drivers.

The DIFFERENCE being that UNLIKE Mercedes, Ferrari has ALWAYS accepted / used Team Orders.
UNLIKE Mercedes who would have the world believe that they treat their drivers equally and equitably.
UNLIKE Mercedes who won't admit Hamilton has always gotten preferential treatment...

Yup... I'm bitter...

[Deuce]

I'm so split on this whole debate. On the one hand LH's actions in pulling back on to the track are not comparable to other incidents as he was getting very confusing messages from the team. In the end he used the conflicting messages as an excuse to do what he wanted to do I think.. but nonetheless, it's true to say he was at one point told not to pit at the last minute.

It is however very convenient that the stewards decision happens to keep the point gap as close as possible between LH & SV, and also between Mercedes and Ferrari!

In my mind it wasn't an unjustifiable decision, it can be argued it was reasonable given the circumstances. But that does not mean that it wasn't a decision pushed by Whiting, motivated to keep the tension high in the battle for championship.

As for team orders - I think Mercedes have been pretty good on that point over the years. And it is a team sport, so I accept that when you have a 1-2 finish potential, it's not worth the risk of the two cars going wheel to wheel in the closing laps. The drivers seem to accept that too, and adrenaline high drivers are usually pretty honest post race. It's a shame for Bottas, but the reality is racing was a gamble they didn't need to take when as a team they were looking at enough points to take the lead in the constructors.

I find it easy to take the above view, as Bottas is not hard done by at all. He has proven in the same car to be LH's almost equal, and hence one of the best drivers on the grid. His future is bright, no matter what. He probably is LH's equal technically, although he has slightly less flair. Compensated by slightly less awful hairstyles and jewelry choices

[sagi58]

Thanks for your perspective, Deuce!!

And...

[Deuce]

Thanks for the welcome!

[sagi58]