andartop wrote:Dragonfly wrote:Why everyone just points at the space left only? Space varies, more important is when and where that space was present or not. Alonso was late in his move deep down in CG. Went for a gap that was not his and he could predict would close as it happened. Therefore got into trouble all by himself.
Because the rules have changed this year to clarify exactly that? It's irrelevant whether Alonso had left more space last year as the rules are different this year.
Argh, how many times must this be said. NO THEY HAVE NOT. Rule 16.1 (the rule he was punished under) has not changed in any way shape or form, here it is:
16.1 "Incident" means any occurrence or series of occurrences involving one or more drivers, or any action by any driver, which is reported to the stewards by the race director (or noted by the stewards and subsequently investigated) which :
a) Necessitated the suspension of a race under Article 41.
b) Constituted a breach of these Sporting Regulations or the Code.
c) Caused a false start by one or more cars.
d) Caused a collision.
e) Forced a driver off the track.
f) Illegitimately prevented a legitimate overtaking manoeuvre by a driver.
g) Illegitimately impeded another driver during overtaking.
Unless it was completely clear that a driver was in breach of any of the above, any incidents involving more than one car will normally be investigated after the race.
It does not say
anything about leaving a full cars width, only about not forcing another car off the track. Alonso had plenty of room to still be on the track (defined as having at least 1 wheel on or inside the white lines).
Here's the rule that was added which you're getting confused about:
20.3 More than one change of direction to defend a position is not permitted. Any driver moving back towards the racing line, having earlier defended his position off‐line, should leave at least one car width between his own car and the edge of the track on the approach to the corner.
1) This rule does not apply to the situation at hand, as Vettel was not returning to the racing line after defending.
2) This is not the rule the stewards punished him under:
Offense: Involved in an incident as defined by Article 16.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations