I'm not disputing that Landon deserved a penalty. Im talking more generally about how silly it is when you really think about it.
Poll: Official 2024 Qatar Grand Prix Race Thread - Lusail International Circuit - Race 23/24
- Thread starter chrismscotland
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I'm not disputing that Landon deserved a penalty. Im talking more generally about how silly it is when you really think about it.
Caporegime
There's a major difference here, Max was aware and prepared to take action, Norris admitted he hadn't even noticed.
There's an argument to be had over what action drivers should take, maybe, but Max was following precedent. Norris's penalty was 100% deserved.
How Alonso gets away with his reckless behaviour in the pits is another matter.
Associate
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Yes, just make a decision, not even a difficult one.
Or just leave it and ruin a few drivers race.
Soldato
Points in the last 4 races:
Perez 1
Zhou 4
That.. is something.
Perez 1
Zhou 4
That.. is something.
It's so odd. I may have understood more if it was well off the racing line in a place of the track no one moves to to overtake etc.
However this was a large piece of debris containing glass, near the exit of the pit lane AND in the only overtaking spot on the entire track. It should have been an immediate safety car.
It's worrying, because indecision like this could get someone killed. Debris has killed and injured people in the past...
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Soldato
Actually if you gave it some thought, instead of coming across as a complete F1 novice, you would realise the rules are the rules and that's is the only penalty that can be applied. It doesn't matter about what any other driver was doing because if the telemetry had also showed they hadn't lifted off then they would have also been punished in the same way.
I'm quite amazed that the Maclaren team didn't inform Norris in the first instance.
@Mr Jack your method of using the VSC would have placed marshal's at risk. If you are fine with that then we'll move on.
What? I literally said that he deserved the penalty! I have no problem with it in terms of how the rules are as they stand.
I'm talking generally about how silly it is that they were all still bombing it down the straight at nearly top speed but just taking their foot slightly off the throttle for a split second somehow makes everything ok.
Caporegime
Marshal's have come on track under VSC to retrieve debris loads of times, at many events - in fact, that was one of the things the VSC was introduced to cover. Now, I don't remember exactly how large the largest gap was, but I'm pretty sure that it was more than long enough that under a VSC for a Marshall to run onto track, grab the mirror, and run off with plenty of time to spare. Obviously, they need to only do that if it is possible without endangering the marshal, and they should have the data to assess whether that was possible in this case. If not, then it should have been a full SC with the cars sent through the pits. Either way, they should have taken immediate action. Leaving the race running with a mirror on track at the fastest part of the circuit at one of the major overtaking points was reckless and dangerous.
Edit: I see the FIA have said in the statement that wouldn't have been time for a marshal to collect the debris under a VSC, fair enough - they have better data to look at than I do.
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Associate
Extract from the FIA statement;
"· Normal practice is for the safety car not to be deployed if there is a small amount of debris, and off the racing line.
· The extensive debris after a car hit the mirror and the punctures that occurred shortly after forced the decision on a safety car."
So if nobody had hit the mirror they'd have run the rest of the race with waved double yellows on that straight.... seems bonkers; they really need to review the process that calls for a SC and improve the response time, I'm sure they used to deploy it / make decisions on it far sooner than they seem to now?
Edit; Not to mention kind of feels like the main straight with DRS should probably expand what is considered the racing line
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It wasn't off the racing line though, but yea, they could run the yellows all race but that eliminates the bulk of the overtaking.
In hindsight, the only real option was SC to have them drive through the pits. VSC is a great when the marshals can safely resolve an issue, but no chance someone could run out onto the straight when cars are staggered throughout the lap.
Soldato
Quite..
I don't understand how side by side in the pits is allowed. The consequences could be dire. If it was up to me I'd ban that immediately
I don't think a SC was in hindsight.. It was just a SC from the off.
That debris was in the overtaking zone.
Would you rather have yellows all race or a SC?
The dawdling on the decision was costly and if I was Hamilton and sainz in particular I'd be fuming.
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Caporegime
I thought it was, but checking the regulations, there isn't anything that specifically outlaws what Alonso did. Mad. He still should have been hit for unsafe release.
Yeah I don't think he did anything wrong by rules. We've seen it before. The consequences of touching in the pitlane like that would be bad. Obviously instant red flag. Not sure why it's allowed really
I more meant for this forum, discussing possible options.
The FIA should have known better, but I also think they have been told to consider the entertainment factor over rigid safety rulings, which is obviously stupid.
You'd think if entertainment is the top priority (and it kind of is) throw that SC. Everyone loves an SC!
The FIA will be kicking themselves internally given the fall out, punctures and how daft its made them look.
But they will hide behind the rulings saying a double yellow was fine at the time. Despite it being in the worst possible place on track.
I imagine people will just use it as further ammo to attack the FIA and MBS.
But they will hide behind the rulings saying a double yellow was fine at the time. Despite it being in the worst possible place on track.
I imagine people will just use it as further ammo to attack the FIA and MBS.
Caporegime
I do wonder whether this was affected by Rui Marques being overworked by having F2 responsibilities dumped on him on top of the already demanding workload he has over the last few weekends with F1 and Macau before that.