Thoughts on the Hungarian GP - Part 1 27/07/2009 It was like old times again, with Alonso leading off from pole and beginning to establish a gap at the front, then Hamilton getting past Webber and closing on a lead which was to be his from the first stops onwards. With Raikkonen second, we might have been transported back a year or two with only Webber's Red Bull in third to remind us that there is a new order these days.Hamilton and Whitmarsh on the podiumDoes it mean an end to the happy times for Brawn and Red Bull? Probably not; they are going to have to fight much harder in the second half of the season, the big two having clearly made major advances, but the tire graining problems that beset the new heroes will not continue at other races, I think.It is interesting that the one team that seemed previously to have no tire problems in the heat, Brawn GP, suffered most in Hungary and I suspect that some of the recent tweaks to the design have altered the car's treatment of its rubber. Piling on more downforce is all very well but it must inevitably have an effect on tire wear too.Apart from the sudden competitiveness of McLaren and Ferrari, the race provided several other talking points, with the stewards becoming involved and making some questionable decisions in the process. The announced investigation into Kimi's Ferrari at the start was not about his swerve on the run to the first corner, as I thought, but concerned the contact with Vettel's Red Bull at the exit from the corner. That, indeed, was a racing incident as the stewards ruled, there being too many cars vying for too little road at the time; but I fail to see how Webber can be penalized in Germany for his near identical dive towards Barrichello while Raikkonen went unpunished.If Webber's move was dangerous, so was Kimi's, and the penalty for both should have been the same. Instead, it seems the matter was not even looked at in Hungary and I am left fuming at the inconsistency of stewarding decisions - as usual.Renault's exclusion from the next race also seems very harsh when it is remembered that the offense has never been penalized before. Recent events have made everyone much more aware of the dangers involved when bits fly off the cars but to come down so savagely on Renault for what was obviously a mistake made in the heat of the moment is far too strong a reaction. Penalties for such mistakes need to be applied, yes, but the teams need to be warned beforehand if such draconian measures are proposed.I suspect that Renault's appeal will be partially successful anyway, the blow to Spanish attendance at Valencia being too great if their hero, Alonso, does not take part in the race. Most likely the penalty will be downgraded to a fine with a severe reprimand as a warning to other teams.It also seems strange that, whilst prepared to be severe in the case of Renault's mistake, the potentially more dangerous pitlane release of Webber into the side of Rakkonen's car escaped with a telling off. The stewards appear not to be particularly concerned about such incidents, judging from their failure to do anything about Massa's release into Sutil last year, and it may be that an accident will ultimately be the cause of a concentration of minds in this area. Pitlane incidents occur at a slower speed but they have potential for injury to those working in the pits and the existing rule should be much more vigorously applied.Massa's accident in qualifying is what has slewed the stewarding decisions, of course, especially since it happened within a week of the death of Henry Surtees in a very similar incident. It seems premature to me to start talking of cockpit canopies, however, particularly in view of the fact that Barrichello's spring bounced off the raised sides of Massa's cockpit, the sides introduced as a reaction to the Coulthard/Wurz collision at the Australian GP of 2007. Change one aspect of the cars because of a freak accident and it becomes an eternal round of chasing the game without any prospect of ever covering all eventualities.The fact that two accidents concerning parts of a car bouncing around the track have happened within the space of a few days does not mean that this kind of accident will now happen regularly. Bits of the cars have always flown off from time to time and it is rare that they aim themselves so unerringly at the driver of another car. Motor racing is dangerous and this is the kind of thing that makes it so. If we react by putting canopies on all the cars, how long will it be before someone suffers severe injury or death through not being able to exit quickly enough from a crashed or burning car thanks to a jammed canopy?It cannot be predicted and that is the nature of accidents - if they could be, we would forestall them. Fix one area of danger and you are likely to open another for potential disaster. And, while on that subject, I should mention that Webber claimed that he swerved as he did at the start of the German GP because he thought Barrichello was on the other side of him. Clearly, he could not see a car that was almost alongside his and that must bring into question the wisdom of raising the cockpit sides sufficiently to limit the driver's peripheral view.And now I find that I have hardly mentioned the race itself, having become side-tracked by so many other issues. With a three-week break coming up, that may be just as well, since it gives me an excellent excuse to look at the real racing tomorrow instead! We'll make this Part One, shall we...?
Clive
aracerdude Agreed the officiating is inconsistent. That is why it seems obvious to me to F1 officials need to stop reviewing every action that takes place on the track.Weber should not have been penalized for his actions in the previous Grand Prix. The drivers can barely see what is next to them, around them, coming up from behind them, etc. And yet they are expected to make perfect split second decisions while having to react at the speed of light?Let the drivers race! Date Added: 27/07/2009
Corey I believe the Renault penalty is harsh. If not for the events of the last week Renault would have been given a fine and while I recognize their reaction, a harsh fine and a stern reminder to all teams from the stewards in light of Massa's incident would've been enough. More consistency from the stewards with regards to penalties would be nice and it wouldn't hurt the FIA to run some explanations on their website either as F1 fans are very knowledgeable of the sport and like to be involved in all aspects.Glad to see that those Silver Arrows are able to pull out wins in Lewis' hands like yesterday. I always like to see a battle between Webber and Hamilton as Webber always gives just enough room and is one of the toughest out there to pass and Hamilton's pass needed to be very good. Was looking forward to him closing down on Alonso but that battle wasn't to be. If Mclaren and Ferrari continue to improve fast the end to this season will be very close. Date Added: 27/07/2009
David My thoughts and support go out to Massa - and I very much hope he makes a speedy and complete recovery.Clive: In amongst the current knee-jerk reactions to Massa’s accident, it’s encouraging to hear a little sanity. One ‘safety improvement proposal’ I haven’t come across yet, but is bound to arise sooner or later, is more safety car deployments to ensure a pristine track. We can all remember the F1 pre-safety car era, where local yellows sufficed, so while the argument can always be made that this addition has improved safety, I fail to see how that is so. However this addition has destroyed a function of real racing, where an advantage earned is an advantage gained, since the cars invariably reform into a pack under such conditions. I have no ambition to see F1 adopt IRL conditions, wherein a team owner recently commented that although they had qualified poorly, their success in the race would depend on how the yellows fell. That’s hardly racing!A little off topic, but not too long ago someone commented on your blog that reforming into a pack does not necessarily have to happen under safety cars, since every race car is already equipped with a pit-lane speed limiter which could easily be triggered simultaneously by race control, thus preserving the advantage gained. The failure to adopt this simple solution raises the suspicion that perhaps these safety cars are already being utilized to improve the show - and no, I don’t trust the current FIA bunch as far as I could kick them! Date Added: 27/07/2009
Nick Caulfield David: unfortunately the bunching may be necessary because then marshalls get a window in which to clear the track of debris. You point out that in times past it was not needed but was that before carbon fibre? As I understand it, even relatively small pieces of shattered carbon fibre on the track constitute quite a serious hazard. Date Added: 27/07/2009
David Nick: I am not aware of any connection between the appearance of carbon fibre and the safety car’s arrival in F1.Carbon fibre was phased into F1 over time, thus the first use of this material is open for debate. However, the McLaren MP4/ 1 was the first car to use a carbon fibre monocoque - and that debuted in 1981.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_MP4/1Keith Collantine gives us, ‘A brief history of the safety car’ saga at:http://www.f1-pitlane.com/content/brief-history-safety-carIf drivers can negotiate the hazards of pit lane at its reduced speed limit, they are also capable of doing the same through a competent accident clean-up scene. The safety car’s on-track speed is determined by what the driver deems safe - and that is usually far in excess of pit lane speed. Date Added: 28/07/2009
Pink Peril Once again we are not talking about the race, but questionable stewarding decisions. And it's February 2nd - Groundhog Day ! Date Added: 28/07/2009
Rob I think we need to stop analyzing every move the stewards make. They have more information than we do, and they are professionals. We are not. Date Added: 28/07/2009
Lee @Rob,I think the FIA and the Stewards invite us to analyze them due to the one thing that is consistent in their world, that is the consistency of inconsistency. Also many of these decisions could be easily put to bed by letting the fans know why it was made. This information is never made public and there seems no end to the stupid decisions that they appear to make, so they are going to be analyzed. I would also question both their professionalism and their level of information. In melbourne they managed to make a decision without using either the tv footage or the radio transmissions which then turned into a complete farce! At least up until last year (can't remember what changes were made for this year) non of the stewards were professional or indeed qualified and Alan Donnelly (a PR man and politician) appeared to make some of the most important stewarding decisions himself.@CliveI agree fully with you. Renaults punishment is excessive and draconian (although not yet quite into the realms of the maclaren spygate punishment). There are thousands of alonso fans that have bought tickets to see him race that are now left dissapointed and I presume feeling ripped off. Why could they not just give renault a big fine and demote alonso 10 grid places, after all I have seen cars released with loose wheels a number of times over the years without punishment and ferrari let Kimi drive with a exhaust pipe dangling from his car last year!Also I would like to see more punishments for releasing drivers into another cars path. Maclaren did the sensible thing with Kovi by keeping him 2 extra seconds to allow nakajima to go past safely, while red bull almost caused a major accident (mainly avoided by quick reactions and awareness by kimi). It is only a matter of time before someone (most likely a pit crew member) is killed or seriously injured.I am also baffled by the stewards decision to defer their incident decision for kimi until after the race for the second race in a row! What new rule has been made up on the spot to allow for this as I was under the impression that unless the race was in its final 5 laps the decisions should be made during the race? I don't think he should have been punished but it is another inconsistent stewards decision. With regards to safety I do think it needs looking at to make sure there is nothing that could easily be done to help make sure these incidents never happen again. However it would be a mistake to go too far as these were both freak accidents and you could probably drive massas lap 1 million times and not get the same outcome again. He was lucky in a way, not to get hit full on as he would probably be dead. I would like to wish Massa a full and quick recovery as it is always sad to see drivers hurt. Date Added: 28/07/2009
Gusto Looks like normal service is resumed, the Hameister is back and hasn`t it livened up the proceedings, could we see the Championship going down to the wire?. As for the stewards decisions, you can see the ulterior motives, teaches Flavio who`s boss and punishes him for daring to bite the hand that feeds him while leaving Alonso kicking he`s heels on a weekend when Ferrari might be looking for a stand in driver, and Ferrari can do no wrong in the stewards eyes. But on this occasion I can see some method to there madness, Alonso was obviously driving a car that was gonna shed a wheel at any moment, with a track like Hungary were the flag Marshall`s are sometimes within 10 mts of the track this could of had devastating consequences, let alone that the wheel went bouncing off across the overtaking racing line at head height ( cue Max on speed dial to Alan ). With Kimi I feel that He was moving out of Webbers tail to avoid a early braking incident should Webber be early on the brakes, almost but didn`t make contact with Hamilton ( due to Hamiltons quick reflexes ), and then was the lucky one in a four abreast post apex spat that left Vettel the loser, in contrast Webber moved for no apparent reason and did make contact with Rubens. Date Added: 28/07/2009
Steven Roy Clive,Have you seen the BMW speculation? A press conference has been called for tomorrow and the rumour is they will pull out. It has only gone up on Autosport in the last 10 minutes.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77398 Date Added: 28/07/2009
verasaki If that's what they are to announce it will be a very sad day, indeed. Date Added: 28/07/2009
Gusto Clive, couldn`t help but notice that car collapses seem to follow your opening car....... Wont tell anyone.....whats next?. Date Added: 28/07/2009
Clive I am forced out of hiding by momentous events! Thanks for the heads up, Steven - I hadn't seen that announcement until you pointed it out. I can only hope that it does not mean BMW's withdrawal, although it's hard to see what else would require the brass of the company to be present at the announcement.And Gusto, you are right indeed - it seems I am the kiss of death to whoever I support and I will have to be completely neutral in future! Date Added: 29/07/2009
Gusto Good to see you firing on all cylinders. There`s a South Norfolk Tractor racing division that would be glad of your sponsership ;-)....( hope they dont exist or there be on my case ) Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Hah, maybe I can hire myself out as a bad luck charm... ;) Date Added: 29/07/2009
Gusto The word your looking for Clive is `Bok`, the dictionary classes it as `One too be avoided in a bookmakers` ;-) Date Added: 29/07/2009
Filipe Now, it's official Clive doomed BMW when he replace the Honda picture early this year! As a BMW fan, I can just thank Clive and ask for a Ferrari pic next year... Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Now there's an idea, Filipe! Maybe they would pay me not to put a Ferrari in my header... :D Date Added: 29/07/2009
verasaki Nah, Max and Bernie. Date Added: 29/07/2009
aracerdude I don't see Clive following Ferrari under any circumstances....and I thank you in advance for that, Clive.Kimi ran the 2nd fastest race lap on the last lap of the race in Hungary. Seems he is motivated when the car is good. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Gusto There`s only one thing for it Clive, your gonna have to put one of them old fashioned Minardi`s in your opening car slot, too remind us `As before shall it so be`. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Vera: Hopefully, that won't be necessary...Aracer: I think you're safe there - it's been decades since I supported Ferrari. But yes, Kimi drove a really great race and it seems he still has it in him.Gusto: I'd love to have one of the early Minardis as a header, they were so pretty. But I suppose I have to keep up to date. Perhaps a Toyota - no one really cares about them... Date Added: 29/07/2009
Gusto Sell Toyota, buy Coffee, cheers Clive. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Hezla What a sad day. It is now official, BMW will quit F1 at the end of 2009. Date Added: 29/07/2009
michael Dear Clive,sorry to say but BMW will not be taking part in the F1 championship as of 2010 this will be their final year.:-( Date Added: 29/07/2009
michael Clive whatever you do PLEASE keep your mouse-clicks off the McLarens - they've enjoyed a tough time already so they don't need your lucky charms no more :-)My pick would for sure have to be - Manor Racing - for all the right reasons.Until then try out a nice pic of the old grooved tires plus a steering column off one of the Beemers - that should do no one any harm.all the best Date Added: 29/07/2009
Nick Goodspeed There will probably be more companies to abandon F1. Corporations don't like being screwed about by the likes of Ecclestone and the FIA (Mosley). The nest has been so thoroughly fouled, I'm surprised any of them can stand the stench. Mosley would prefer to be a big fish in a little tank than no fish at all. Ecclestone must be losing a lot of sleep. How many more people can F1 alienate before his investment goes bust? So far he's alienated the USA, Canada and France, threatened Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium and who knows who else. The FIA, despite their lip service to cost savings, have cost the teams absolute fortunes with their rule shuffling. The championship is a joke as it is openly manipulated. There is rampant favouritism locally and globally as far as penalties or decisions go, Renault being the latest to have a ludicrous and destructive penalty imposed due to an obvious error which in absolutely no way benefited them! How many reasons do these two idiots have to give the teams before they start to leave. This may sound like another conspiracy theory but doesn't this play into Mosley's hand? Date Added: 29/07/2009
verasaki Is it just me or does "Manor Racing" sound like they are sponsored by a seniors retirement facility? Maybe JV can drive for them. Gutted about BMW, though. I almost feel like I've already written 2010 off. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive I have to agree with Nick in that it is probably the way F1 is run that has decided the BMW board that enough is enough. Jean Todt's candidacy for FIA president was most likely the nail in the coffin.And do not despair, Vera. The team will almost certainly continue, perhaps with Peter Sauber still involved; it's too good an opportunity for those organizations trying to get into F1 at the moment. Date Added: 29/07/2009
verasaki Yes, I think the quote I read was that it was the current "motorsport environment" driving the decision. I read that as on top of the economic side, they've just had enough of the FIA, Max and Bernie. I wasn't surprised to read the spin drivel coming out of Ecclestone's mouth though. His theory is if they'd all agreed on the cap this would not have happened (ie: he told us so, boys and girls) conveniently ignoring recent history.So, you think BMW may supply engines? Can they supply engines for 2010? Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive The engines for a rebadged team is an interesting question. It would be nice if BMW were to supply theirs but no mention was made of this. Otherwise perhaps Mercedes (the enemy!) might oblige or even Toyota. Sauber has used Ferrari engines in the past so I suppose that is a possibility too. Date Added: 29/07/2009
rfs when is part 2 of your hungary gp review coming? Date Added: 31/07/2009
Clive RFS: To be honest, so much has happened this week that I'm going to have to watch the video of the race to remind myself of what I wanted to say. Hopefully, I will find the time to do that tomorrow or Sunday at the latest! Sorry about the long wait... Date Added: 31/07/2009
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