F1 - Vettel may be penalised and lose championship

[teejay]

Just seen this on the bbc website, BBC Sport - Formula 1: Ferrari consider Sebastian Vettel protest

 

Vettel allegedly overtook Vergnes' Torro Rosso under yellow flags so could get a 20 second penalty, which would mean Alonso would be champion!

[MattGreaves]

Just seen that myself. Interestingly I found a good analysis on YouTube which goes into detail of the several passes made by Vettel during the race and then compares them to the alleged illegal overtake. From that video it does appear to be illegal, but I will let others make their own opinion!

[plexer]

If they can't be sure what flag was being waved at the marshall point then anything else is irrelevant.

 

Ben

[mattx]

Why does this not surprise me ? Yet again Ferrari pull out any possible clause where it would help their cause. Not content with breaking Massa's gear box seal they are now [ and Alonso ] so desporate they have to refer to footage which was obviously seen by the stewards but because now the press are involved, they will have to go study again.

My god, if there was ever a team / indivudual so desporate to bend the rules in their favor it's Ferrari and that over rated driver Alonso who if you all remember chucked his toys out the pram when Lewis started pi55ing all over his style.

[synaesthesia]

This was brought up at the time and dismissed half an hour after the race as it wasn't yellow flag, it was yellow and red (dangerous conditions) which does not forbid overtaking. It's a week afterwards, they won't change now. Ferrari are just *thinking* about having a go, as they often would. They can't fight properly for a championship so they might as well try it on.

[tech_guy]

And it is exactly this kind of thing that has put me off F1. I used to be an avid fan and went to Silverstone every year but this sort of behavior from the teams and certain drivers has turned the sport in to a bit of a farce which is a great shame.

[synaesthesia]

It's quite mild - in fact this whole thing is MASSIVELY exaggurated. Ferrari don't do a lot to help the sport tbh - they're certainly worse than Red Bull who are only guilty of pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

[mthomas08]

Why does this not surprise me ? Yet again Ferrari pull out any possible clause where it would help their cause. Not content with breaking Massa's gear box seal they are now [ and Alonso ] so desporate they have to refer to footage which was obviously seen by the stewards but because now the press are involved, they will have to go study again.

My god, if there was ever a team / indivudual so desporate to bend the rules in their favor it's Ferrari and that over rated driver Alonso who if you all remember chucked his toys out the pram when Lewis started pi55ing all over his style.

 

I have to say this, as much as I do respect Alonso he does seem to very quick to push things to win - regardless. I also thougt Massa's defending was very dangerous. It was as if Massa had nothing to lose and reminded me of last years Massa vs Lewis. Closing the door regardless who was there and everyone on that track must of thought he has nothing to lose so watch out.

[MattGreaves]

This was brought up at the time and dismissed half an hour after the race as it wasn't yellow flag, it was yellow and red (dangerous conditions) which does not forbid overtaking. It's a week afterwards, they won't change now. Ferrari are just *thinking* about having a go, as they often would. They can't fight properly for a championship so they might as well try it on.

 

The incident you are referring to is the pass on the HRT between turn 1 & 2 which as you say was dismissed. The Vergne incident was not reviewed during the race or race weekend and was missed my both Sky and BBC footage as replays of the start were being shown.

[aerospacemango]

Having heard this being discussed on the radio....

 

Everyone seems to think that if you look closely at the video, you can see a marshall waving a GREEN flaf, which takes precedence over the yellow flashing lights.

 

Therefore, expect nothing to change, and Vettel will remain as world champion.

[sonofsanta]

Be a bloody travesty if they do go through with this, as the Torro Rosso would have let Vettel through anyway so he gained no actual advantage from doing this. And if Ferrari start bleating about team tactics and lack-of-sportsmanship, I think the Universe might implode from the sheer hypocrisy.

 

I really hoped the FIA had dropped their Ferrari Fan Club membership after MSC retired the first time. Saying that, maybe if Michael gives them a long, German stare they'll leave Vettel alone...

[Danp]

I hope this comes to nothing, it does look like Vettel passed under yellows, but Ferrari should let it lie. If they want Vettel in their car in 2015 they need to not burn their bridges!

[Jamman960]

I would hope that the FIA's findings are final once they've finalised the result in the same way that the ref's decissions are final in football etc

[Andrew_C]

I would hope that the FIA's findings are final

Ferrari International Assistance make up the rules to suit... Ferrari.

[MattGreaves]

Apparently teams have up until the 30th November to lodge a complaint and FIA to investigate/rule if the decision will affect the World Championship result...

[synaesthesia]

FIA have said there's no case to answer.

[EduTech]

BBC Sport - Formula 1: Ferrari "evaluating footage" of Sebastian Vettel move

[Gibbo]

I think Vettel followed the racing line of the car in front, and as soon as he got the all clear moved out and overtook.

[JJonas]

BBC Sport - Formula 1: FIA believes Sebastian Vettel has no case to answer

[sonofsanta]

Well thank Christ for that: BBC Sport - Formula 1: Ferrari say Sebastian Vettel complaint is 'closed'

 

It says it raised the issue because the incident "could have left a shadow in the eyes of all the fans of Formula 1".

Because gifting the championship to your driver on a technicality a week after the other driver was feted as the number 1 wouldn't cast a shadow over the sport at all!

Edited November 30, 2012 by sonofsanta