F1 2007

[Pat Buckley]

I didn't realize there was a rule prohibiting "erratic" driving by the leader of the race during the SC period.

It seems to me that "erratic" driving should be expected by all involved and they should act accordingly....

I hope this is a joke.

[ChrisL]

No doubt a bad decision and I'm not defending Ferrari, but the commentators made an interesting point. They pointed out that full wets have effectively become obsolete in the recent past in that the pace car is always sent out these days whenever the rain is heavy enough to use them.

[David Morton]

Pat,
it's "no duff" gen. All news stations here are carrying it on their sport
section, not that we are talking about a sport.
It was noticeable that LH was being a prat - if you have it recorded have a look
at what he was doing and furthermore, I believe Webber has a point. They (Red Bull combine) have nothing to lose anyway with Vettel effectively being demoted to behind Barichello and the 2J's so let them (RBR) whip up some more crap. It doesn't make a deal of difference for this season anyway. It's had the heart shagged out of it by McLarengate.

[Frank Catt]

Sorry, I think Davids wrong on this one. If you look at the aerial shot of this incident you can see LH cross to the extreme right of the track to get clear vision from behind the pace car, before preparing for the restart, Webber on extreme left hand side of the track, behind the safety car and not in clear vision, suddenly realised he would overtake LH position and (unexpected by Vettel who presumed LH between pace car and Webber), suddenly braked hard. Just a bunch of circumstances in my book.

[Paul Brameld]

I think this is just a sick joke, literally!

[Keith Hardy]

That's a relief then, Vettel not being to blame for hitting the back of Webbers car....for a moment there......

And anyway, if erratic driving is prohibited by the rules, then Ralf Schumacher would have been disqualified on L1....

[Pat Buckley]

Funny, Keith.....and true.

My feeling is that it is the overtaking drivers responsibility...etc....which, by extension, means that under a yellow flag with heavy rain, it is prudent for the drivers following to give up their right to sit comfortably (?) on the tail of the car in front of them so they can be in a better position to pass when the course goes green.

I can understand Webbers whining about what happened to him, but I am sure that if the situation were reversed he would probably do the same thing.

I have never (and will never) get used to the idea of the lead car weaving down the straight in order to make passing more difficult - but unfortunately it seems to be common practice now days.

[Keith Hardy]

Only 1 "weave" permitted under the rules now. Herr Schumacher senior was a genius at making that 1 vital blocking move....

[David Morton]

News on AOL >

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is under investigation by Formula One officials over his behaviour at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

The world championships leader was accused by Red Bull driver Mark Webber of causing him to hit Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel by speeding up and slowing down behind the safety car.
An FIA official told PA Sport: "We understand the stewards of the meeting have received new evidence and are looking into the relevant matter. It would be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this particular stage, in particular as to what penalty, if any, might be imposed."
The evidence is believed to be footage from video website YouTube, which was filmed from the grandstands at Fuji. It appears to show Hamilton decelerating dramatically on the right of the track, forcing Webber to slow down and catch Vettel unaware.
Webber said: "It definitely contributed to Sebastian hitting me up the back because he (Hamilton) wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing, clearly. He spoke in the drivers' meeting about how good a job he was going to do and he did the opposite. Still, we know for next time."
The collision occurred on lap 45 when Webber almost overtook Hamilton before an unsighted Vettel hit him. F1 regulations state the leader must keep within five metres of the safety car, while erratic driving can also be punished.
Article 40.10 of the F1 Sporting Regulations reads: "The safety car shall be used at least until the leader is behind it and all remaining cars are lined up behind him. Once behind the safety car, the race leader must keep within five car lengths of it."
It is thought Hamilton has already met a three-man panel of stewards at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. They are believed to be deliberating on what action to take over the incident.
If he is found guilty of dangerous driving, Hamilton could have his points from the Japanese race wiped out, although a 10-place grid penalty for the Chinese Grand Prix would be more likely.
His Fuji victory gave him a 12-point lead over defending champion and team-mate Fernando Alonso. If he does not receive a points deduction, he could seal the title on Sunday

[Keith Hardy]

"But I was 5 cars lengths behind the safety car"

[Pat Buckley]

Thanks David.

As much as I like LH, I have to admit that he is one of the biggest weavers I have ever seen - he rivals Schue the great in that regard.

Particularly at the start of the race - one wonders if he would get further ahead by just driving in a straight line!

[Bill Hara]

Link to the "new" video footage they are talking about...

Here

[Pat Buckley]

LH was a bit uneven, but then again, a grid full of race cars is always weaving aound cleaning tires, warming up brakes, etc....

Looks to me like Vettel wasn't paying attention.

As was stated earlier - a racing incident.

Perhaps every drivers action should be reviewed in minute detail for appropriate action after the race.

Maybe at the end of the year the whole damned year can be reviewed just in case something was missed (or the wrong manufacturer wins).

It is a joke. The whole farce they call a sporting event is a joke.

[Tom Hudson]

I’d like to give a vote of thanks to the fan that captured the Weber-Vettel crash and posted it on You-Tube. As a Motor Racing fan I am always interested to see as much of the action as possible and this was a major incident in the race, which the official cameras missed.

What I would really like to see is any more of the dice between Massa and Kubica. To my mind that was as good as the Villenuve-Arnoux dice and Bernies F1 cameras didn’t do it full justice.
If it is on You-Tube, or some other system, it is a shame to think that Bernies grip on the Broadcast rights to F1 means that clips such as the above are unlikely to be shared with the fans for much longer.

Tom

[Bill Hara]

LH was quoted as saying that Webber was too close to him during this S/C period and that he had been on the radio telling his team to tell RBR to slow Webber down. He had a gut feeling that would happen and obviously his "gut" was right. (LH's quote - not mine)

While his driving actions are no more "a-rythmic" than anyone else, he has let his 5 car gap to the S/C increase to over 20 car spaces which would constitute a breach of the "rules". That means investigation and perhaps punishment whilst also revoking Vettel's punishment.

I agree that this is all a farce Pat(rules and interpretations of), also although the stewards were busy on the day, all on track incidents should be reviewed on race day and then they should shut the book. This is a week later and just makes this farcical season look even worse. Still, the racing post S/c was exciting!

I remember watching a Busche series Nascar race a few months back where Gordon and Ambrose were bangin into each other and although Gordon had to pit for unsportsman like conduct, he refused and stayed in front and punted Ambrose out of the lead upon the re-start. He got fined for it and later gave Ambrose a run in his Nextel cup car as a peace offering. If that were to happen in F1 (or even V8 Supercars) Gordon would have had his license revoked and received a $10M fine........

BH

[David Morton]

Enough said.
Looking at that video , IMO it looked as though LH had a problem and slowed dramatically possibly retiring from the race.
Fact: Webber clearly slowed down dramatically to avoid passing.
Fact: Vettel's car hit Webbers car.
Fact: LH made some comments about good conduct in the pre race briefing.
Fact: LH ignored those comments.

LH had let the safety car zoom away into the distance instead of the customary 5 lengths and it exceeded 20 lenghts+ so the decision to investigate LH after this even might well be the correct one.
Maybe you all think these cars should have brake lights ?

[Keith Hardy]

So, sports fans, the "f*****g kid with no experience" was LH not SV?

Hmmm, I think Webber has dreamed this deal up with some assistance well after the race and with a lot of hindsight...

[Simon]

Forgive me if I'm wrong here, but surely it has to be the same as driving on the street? If somebody hits you up the ar*e, it's THEIR fault and NOT the guy driving in front of you?
Simon

[Pete.]

Correctamundo Simon, LH dropped away from the pace car Webber braked to avoid passing and Vettel hit im up the a**se. Vettel's fault IMHO.
Anyway it's all bullsh*t. There is a real motor race on Sunday at Mt Panorama.