2008 French Grand Prix - Race 8/17

[NathanE]

I think the majority of people that were on about the dangers of Kimi's exhaust today were just wanting to see him penalised and couldn't give a **** about any safety aspects.

Who? The majority felt a bit sorry for him... or are you referring to another forum?

 

[JRS]

Thought this was slightly amusing.

Anyone else notice that Ron and co were happy to accept the dubious blocking penalty Heikki got, yet are unhappy about Hamilton's drive-through today?

 

[Emlyn_Dewar]

Who? The majority felt a bit sorry for him... or are you referring to another forum?

People on this forum felt sorry for him? Didn't notice any posts like that, I saw some 'Mclaren would have been banned in this situation ' postings but not much else.
Edit: F1 forums are a bit of a minefield nowadays, you've either got full on Hamilton zealots or it's Ferrari extremists (sp), it's not that bad in F1 topics here, fairly wide range of folks.

 

[NathanE]

I thought the whole "if it were McLaren ban ban ban" type stuff was just joking? Hence all the smileys and stuff...

It's pretty funny and extreme that in this single race McLaren has had no less than 3 penalties in total! It's no surprise that people want to make light of it when something unorthodox like the race leader's exhaust start flailing loosely in the wind

OK as a Ferrari fan you may have taken this a bit offensively, but really, I don't think most people here had any hard feelings.

 

[JRS]

I was pretty much convinced they'd flag Kimi in with that exhaust. Being a Ferrari fan, I'm rather glad they didn't

I'm starting to get a little more agitated on behalf of Hamilton now, having looked at the chicane-hopping again. I can see why the stewards decided to penalise him....but it was pretty bloody harsh. The guy was almost out of control, so it's not as if he gained all that much. If anything, he probably shortened the life expectancy of his tyres somwehat since he was on the softer option ones.

Still, it wouldn't have cost him and the team much for them to get on the radio and say "let him back by Lewis, 'cause you can bet they'll penalise you for that".

 

[Emlyn_Dewar]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I joined the anti-Ferrari crowd a long time ago.
I've calmed it down nowadays, I'm possibly just being a bit foolish though, I tend to just think it's coincidence when things go their way.

I think with the exhaust situation today, yes it may have been a risk that it would fall off (I can't believe they didn't tear it off the pits tbh). I really didn't see the need for him to be pulled in to the pits just for that though. I can see the flip side however, potential for freak accident = not good.

Edit: Is there footage of another angle on the Ham/Chicane incident? I'd really be interested to see external footage.

 

[NathanE]

I was pretty much convinced they'd flag Kimi in with that exhaust. Being a Ferrari fan, I'm rather glad they didn't

I'm starting to get a little more agitated on behalf of Hamilton now, having looked at the chicane-hopping again. I can see why the stewards decided to penalise him....but it was pretty bloody harsh. The guy was almost out of control, so it's not as if he gained all that much. If anything, he probably shortened the life expectancy of his tyres somwehat since he was on the softer option ones.

Still, it wouldn't have cost him and the team much for them to get on the radio and say "let him back by Lewis, 'cause you can bet they'll penalise you for that".

I'm undecided to be honest.

I'd LOVE to see it from another camera angle.

I'd agree that it was "harsh" considering his car was way out of position due to his 10 place penalty... coupled that with a young WDC-contending driver and it is pretty much a given that he will want to get past slower cars ASAP in the first few laps.

But then from ths stewards point of view, they may understand it was a error of judgement when overtaking but just question why he didn't give the place back like a gentlemen?

 

[dannyjo22]

Feel sorry for kimi today, didnt put a foot wrong, was much faster and lost out to a broken car.

Hamilton again looks like the pressure is getting to him. Not able to come through the field in a faster car and looked an accident waiting to happen.

That said I'd rather see drivers atleast try and get it wrong than sit there.

 

[Slam62]

I wonder if Schumi had been in that position Barrichello would have won

 

[dannyjo22]

I wonder if Schumi had been in that position Barrichello would have won

Not a chance he would have made sure the pack stayed away. I still think Ferrari need to do the same. Let Raikkonen run away while massa holds up the pack.

If massa had dropped off half second per lap after the first corner Raikkonen would have been in the clear.

Neither ferrari driver is that consistent like MS was so I'd back one and have the other as support.

 

[JUMPURS]

I'd agree that it was "harsh" considering his car was way out of position due to his 10 place penalty... coupled that with a young WDC-contending driver and it is pretty much a given that he will want to get past slower cars ASAP in the first few laps.

But then from ths stewards point of view, they may understand it was a error of judgement when overtaking but just question why he didn't give the place back like a gentlemen?

That shouldn't really matter in looking to see if he broke the rules tbh. If it had been Webber, would he have been punished? I think so.
Both of Hamilton's penalties this weekend are due to a mix of lack of experience and over confidence (some may like that in a driver) But i think if someone like Button or Rosberg etc had out broke himself and took the position, he would have given it back, it's not like it was going to cost much time to take it back.

Heiki was unlucky to get the 5 place penalty today, but the blame for that rests squarely on whoever was on the pit wall and radio to him. He should have been warned about 2 cars on their flying laps and to back right off so they can get past. Unless he was told and ignored it, but i don't think so.

 

[Cube]

Hamilton should have known that there was a possibility of being given a penalty for jumping the chicane. Give the place back then there would have been no penalty.

Drivers shouldn't need the pit wall to tell them to give a place back or watch for a red light, they should know the rules.

 

[Glaucus]

Hamilton should have known that there was a possibility of being given a penalty for jumping the chicane. Give the place back then there would have been no penalty.

Drivers shouldn't need the pit wall to tell them to give a place back or watch for a red light, they should know the rules.

For supposedly being such a calm ad well composed driver he's certainly not showing it this season.

 

[JUMPURS]

Are Ferrari allowed to repair any damage to his engine?

Ferrari have not used their 'free engine change' yet this season, and according to Domenicali, it is likely they will use it now.

 

[elmuzzy66.]

For supposedly being such a calm ad well composed driver he's certainly not showing it this season.

He has lost that spark since last years china gp. In the majority of pressure situtations so far he does look as good as last year.

 

[chrislusty]

Was an interesting race, and hopefully LH will learn that races are not won in the first few laps. no need to rush into every possible overtake opportunity. the fact that he finished the race was amazing at some points, as he was all over the place, very ragged and on the edge.

He needs to calm down, let the driving do the talking, and drive like he did before last years china GP, then he will be back to his best.

However being a ferrari fan i am happy with the outcome!

 

[JRS]

Not a chance he would have made sure the pack stayed away. I still think Ferrari need to do the same. Let Raikkonen run away while massa holds up the pack.

*looks at Massa's points tally*

*looks at Raikkonen's points tally*

Uh huh. Brilliant idea. Hold back the guy who has scored more points....

There seems to be this peculiar thing going on. Everyone can see Massa doing well right now (unless they're ******* blind), yet every race weekend - 'oh, he'll bin it'. Remind me again, who's leading the championship? Who's scored 48 points in the last six races, winning three times? On that score, who has won the most times so far this year? Who is tied for the most podiums so far?

Good heavens! It's Massa! How on Earth did that happen?

Might it have happened because he has serious talent? And that he has a very good car under him? And that he was mentored by one of the best ever in this business?

So why the flying **** are people not taking him seriously???

 

[Duke]

Have to agree with JRS (doesn't happen often ). This season Massa has 'proved' himself to me - I couldn't really have hated a driver as much as him before but now he is delivering very well.

 

[JRS]

Have to agree with JRS (doesn't happen often ).

Love you too, sweetie

This season Massa has 'proved' himself to me - I couldn't really have hated a driver as much as him before but now he is delivering very well.

See, I'm not sure I ever got why people hated him so much (aside from his obsession with the phrase 'for sure'). He was always erratic to say the least, but enough to actually draw hate?

Nope, don't get it.

 

[Emlyn_Dewar]

He was pretty decent in his last year at Sauber but still... He's quite clearly rubbish. I think Hamilton's made more mistakes this year, he's way better than Massa though, he's from Britain...

Massa, yet another driver who's opinion I value more than Hamilton.