Australian GP 2009 ( finally! )

[ISLAMATRON]

Neither driver played it all that wisely, both certainly have some fault in it. But I still put the majority of it on SV.

And if Kubica had overcooked it but because Vettel had backed off he wasn't close enough to retake the place would you still be calling it a wise move? These guys are racers and should be left to race. The stewards constant meddling in this is frankly destroying the sport, doubly so with the comical lack of consistency.

I can dig that +1

[ISLAMATRON]

Anyone else realise that there was probably only 1(Massa) retirement due to mechanical failure.... astonishing.

[myurr]

And Kimi?

[ISLAMATRON]

And Kimi?

Things tend to break when you hit the wall... his was a driver failure not a car one.

[myurr]

And Kimi?

Things tend to break when you hit the wall... his was a driver failure not a car one.

Didn't look like he actually hit the wall and was running fine for several laps afterwards. The report I read was that he was pitched off and subsequently retired due to a differential failure.

Edit: Okay can't find it now, must have been dreaming

[gcdugas]

dude, he was on the red and white rumble strip (curb)...not grass.

Vettel was on the grass/rumble strips because he insisted on going into the corner way too deep. RK was enough ahead to claim the line he did. That is why the penalty. That is why Vettel apologized on the radio immediately afterward.

[Hadys]

Have anybody photo demaged difusor from Barichello monopost?

[shir0]

dude, he was on the red and white rumble strip (curb)...not grass.

Vettel was on the grass/rumble strips because he insisted on going into the corner way too deep. RK was enough ahead to claim the line he did. That is why the penalty. That is why Vettel apologized on the radio immediately afterward.

now...i wonder where i've heared that before?

spa '08...spa '08...spa '08...spa '08...spa '08...

[ISLAMATRON]

dude, he was on the red and white rumble strip (curb)...not grass.

Vettel was on the grass/rumble strips because he insisted on going into the corner way too deep. RK was enough ahead to claim the line he did. That is why the penalty. That is why Vettel apologized on the radio immediately afterward.

Sebastian Vettel (14th):
“We were in second and a strong position, but then, a couple of laps from the end, I had a stupid racing accident with Robert. At the time I turned in I was ahead, but I couldn't keep up speed in the corner and Robert was on a harder tyre, so was much quicker. At the time we collided he was in front, but I had no where to go, I couldn't stop the car, or turn to the right and my tyres were gone. It's a shame as it meant the end of the race for both of us. Should I have let him go? You always want to fight. Maybe I should have said let him go and bring third back home, but that's life. I tried to defend and, up to the mid-corner, I had reason, but then I had no grip to avoid a collision. I'm sorry to the team and also to Robert, as it didn't just mean the end of my race, but also his. The team did a good job, we were working very hard over the winter and the car seems to be very good. We had good pace today, so overall we have a reason to smile.”


He had no grip because he was forced onto the curb and the dirt/grass. Kubika was never ahead, until they are looking at your diffuser you are side by side. Do you just cut people off on the highway and just tell the officer " My front tires were a couple inches ahead of him so I decided I was ahead of him and so I went into his lane".

Even on the onboard you can see the front of Vettals' car.

[gcdugas]

Great job too by Hamilton to come from 18th on grid to finish in the points, let alone 3rd [following Trulli's penalty]

Any video of the Trulli off track excursion? The very short clip I saw on the last corner by pit entrance couldn't have been the incident because Ham was nowhere to be seen. I think Trulli previously left the track to avoid debris like RK's wheels and carbon fiber wings etc. Then Ham passed him because Ham crossed the Start/Finish line well before Trulli did. The real question then becomes.... when did the SC orange light come on the car's onboard dash? Did Ham pass under the SC? If Trulli left the track to avoid debris and Ham passed him under the SC light, then I can see the penalty being overruled successfully. I can also understand Ham passing him if he was on the grass thinking he was involved in the incident or that JT hit some debris and suffered damage, however if the light was on and Trulli only went off track to avoid debris, Ham must give the position back. Remember Toyota generally roll over for FIA penalties etc. Then have filed an appeal and I don't think they would do this without a solid case and good onboard video. I actually expect them to prevail.

[gcdugas]

He had no grip because he was forced onto the curb and the dirt/grass. Kubika was never ahead, until they are looking at your diffuser you are side by side. Do you just cut people off on the highway and just tell the officer " My front tires were a couple inches ahead of him so I decided I was ahead of him and so I went into his lane".

Even on the onboard you can see the front of Vettals' car.

That is not the video to watch. Look at the view from the helicopter at exactly 1:02 of this video You are seeing the front of Vettel's car AFTER he was going too deep. RK was a head by enough to claim the line. RK even braked with enough time to comfortably make the corner so much so that his car wasn't punted off to the outside after the collision. If RK went in too hot on a questionable pass he would have been pushed to the left after they touched. Seb simply went in too hot and pushed into RK.

Seb said he knew his tires were trashed by that time and I think he simply overestimated his ability to make the corner with a late entry (as well as an inside to out trajectory). He wouldn't apologize that rapidly on the radio if he was upset with RK running him off the road.

[ben_watkins]

I'm really worried about Kubicas wheel more than him getting a DNF. His wheel came off and damn near hit him in the head!

I too was very surprised that both wheels came off the BMW, they need to beef up their tethers imho

[ISLAMATRON]

That is not the video to watch. Look at the view from the helicopter at exactly 1:02 of this video Seb said he knew his tires were trashed by that time and I think he simply overestimated his ability to make the corner with a late entry (as well as an inside to out trajectory). He wouldn't apologize that rapidly on the radio if he was upset with RK running him off the road.

That is the same video... simply put, had Kubica given Vettel room so that all 4 of his wheels could remain on the tarmac, ther would have not been a coming together, in my estimation. Kubica actually hit Vettal mid corner... watch the video.

[DarkSnape]

That is not the video to watch. Look at the view from the helicopter at exactly 1:02 of this video Seb said he knew his tires were trashed by that time and I think he simply overestimated his ability to make the corner with a late entry (as well as an inside to out trajectory). He wouldn't apologize that rapidly on the radio if he was upset with RK running him off the road.

That is the same video... simply put, had Kubica given Vettel room so that all 4 of his wheels could remain on the tarmac, ther would have not been a coming together, in my estimation. Kubica actually hit Vettal mid corner... watch the video.

dude you kiddin` right?

[ISLAMATRON]

dude you kiddin` right?

Dont be silly, dont post a pic from a sec after the initial contact and act like it is relevant... watch the video with the overhead shot.