Japanese GP (*spoiler*)

[Steve PH]

Found this on you tube, the last lap dice between Massa and Kubica, from an in car camera.

[Jims5543]

Awesome!

I have a whole new respect for every one of them out there after that race.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Sweet! I love how Kubica didn't take crap from Massa and "pushed" back - repeatedly. Hehehe.

[kang]

Originally Posted by livi

Even if the decision is not far fetched from a team point of view, Massa must have felt like a dummy when he for blatantly obvious reasons is ordered in for a pit stop so his team mate can pass.

I don’t know why they needed to pit Massa to give Kimi the extra points. It would have been better for Massa to have an “accidental” off, let Kimi by, and then slot in right behind him. That way, Massa would have finished one spot behind Kimi, not sixth.

The pit stop was too obviously “team orders.” An off would have been less obvious, especially in the rain. Massa could have easily let Kimi catch up a bit, loop it off the track where there was plenty of run-off, let Kimi by, and then regain the track. The officials or other teams might protest this obvious pit stop, but there would be nothing they could say if Massa looped it in those conditions.

[Aerkuld]

That video is awesome! I guess it won't be on You Tube for long though.
The way Massa caught Kubica up and passed him at first I would guess that Kubica didn't know he was coming and got caught napping. I love the way they both take turns pushing each other wide and onto the run-off, it's amazing that they both managed to cross the finish line (or Finnish line as it was on Sunday). That was some incredible driving - thanks for posting Steve!

[Jims5543]

It seems Hami might be in trouble for his behavior behind the Safety Car.

The stories:

Hamilton under review:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/62978

Torro Rosso tips off FIA about video below.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/62981

[Lothar]

I was able to see this video two or three times seconds before it was removed. Hamilton moves far right on the outside of a left turn and Webber has to slow down as to avoid passing Hamilton. It is at that point that Vettel drives into the back of Webber.

Hamilton is being called before the Stewards, apparently to review the situation.

[Jims5543]

Holy Crap! How can it be removed? I was video taken by a fan? Were Cameras not allowed inside Fuji?

Wow, you tube has gotten really annoying lately.

To take it a little further.

Hamilton runs up on the Safety car then practically stops and goes wide right as the safety car stays online. Webber begins to overtake Hamilton and stops short in an effort to stay behind, as he brakes hard Vettel slams into the rear of him.

There was a lot of this going on, I noticed it during the race. I would imagine that after 20+ laps, Hamilton would get a grip on what the safety car was doing and give it room and pace himself accordingly. All that stop and go was asking for an accident to happen.

[MFAFF]

Just imagine that Hamilton is found to have breached the 'rules'...but as we all know the FIA and the Stewards need to review all the information and that can take 'time'.....

So the penalty is announced after the result of the Chinese Grand Prix, won by FA with LH second...and LH receives a 10 point penalty or if he does not finish or score then he has not breached any rules so no penalty....

That leaves the final race as the title run off... FA has to beat LH...and if he runs him off he does not retain his title.. if LH does the same he gets penalised...

Now do ya think Bernie would like that?

[stealthn]

Interesting stuff there was also the article on BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7027743.stm

I wonder why the video was removed.....hmmmmm


Apparently many drivers said Hamilton was erratic behind the pace car during the race. The rules are he has to stay within 5 cars behind the pace car, and they said he would brake hard, then speed up, then brake hard, and that was the reason for the bunch up.

This is going to make the Championship really interesting, but then again I guess they need some excitement this year as it's been really boring

[Aerkuld]

Who would like to bet that LH is found guilty of something and his points get removed for that race?
Just think, that would give LH 97 points, FA = 95, KR = 90. It would really open up the possibilty of Ferrari winning the constructors AND the drivers title.

Nah, The FIA would never do that would they!

[Jims5543]

Worse case, based on Vittels "punishment" 10 Grid spots at the next GP.


I honestly do not see a problem, its no different than FA's typical restarts after a Safety Car. Not necessary, but in all honesty he was not doing it on purpose.

[kang]

From one of the articles:

F1 regulations state: "The safety car shall be used at least until the leader is behind it and all remaining cars are lined up behind him. Once behind the safety car, the race leader must keep within five car lengths of it.

As long as LH stayed within five car lengths, I don’t think there is anything the officials can say about it.

I think he was just trying to keep is brakes hot. I don’t think he was trying to mess with the drivers behind him.

[450knotOffice]

...ah...yeaaa.

Hammie would never do that.

The Hamilton video is still up, btw. I just watched it. Massa's is gone.