F1 gossip column... Your view

Our F1 expert returns with more pitlane gossip ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

The night race makes up part of the rumours as does news from Force India. Read all the latest here and then send in your thoughts using the boxes below.

Comments

[evnmorehonestjon]

Racist? Yeh good one, must look in the mirror to check my skin colour. Radar you are an idiot, a top class fool. Skin has no place in this discussion.

Any reason why we cant discuss Lew, is he immune from criticism, blame or anything else, just because he is a brit?

I was as enthralled as anyone else by his driving, but the very nature of it means he is open to this sort of debate. So get used to it, unless you want your man to drive slowly, it will happen again & again.

Watch the race again, you will see there were plenty of corner cuts, drivers will blame the conditions, so its impossible to be sure. For me was very possible Massa cut it to gain space to Lew.

How many deliberate car-to-car contacts were there?
Thats why it stands out to me

[Radar]

That's good coming from a one eyed driver critic. I see you still only want to discuss Hammy and ignore any other comment about other drivers mistakes that commentators or press make. Either you are bias or worse racist. I bet if the truth was known that choked you yesterday hammy making up so many places.

So you know for sure it was deliberate and Hammy could see Webber in his mirrors in the spray. You also seem to know my driver preference, based on that assumption alone you know diddly squat. I really can't be bothered to discuss the sport with someone who only see's incidents involving one driver. Who ever it is.

[evnmorehonestjon]

Blimey Radar, dont be deliberately dense, you do a good enough job without trying.

Who said Lew should give way? Not me. I questioned whether his deliberate hit was something that the stewards would have looked at had it been any other driver.

All this talk of bias, seems you Lew fans dont like it when its on th other foot.
Sorry but I say what I see, & you are a Lew fan clearly disguised as a Web fan. Admit it.

[Radar]

So you believe that Hammy shd have given way to Webber even though his front wheels were behind his. Not position himself for the next corner which I think from memory was a right hander. (Webber on the outside). Just to prove what exactly? Now I just think you're a Jack ASS. No, no after you my good man you have this corner.

you quoted Brundle earlier did you not also hear him say Massa's cutting of the corner was just as much if not more an advantage than Hammy's last race even though he was in front. Or did you put your hands over your ears at that point!! No wonder F1 is the state it's in with fans like you.

[evnmorehonestjon]

Anti Hammy?
No not really, theres part of me that admires him for his driving, but I do dislike his manufactured persona.
However I dont let either likes or dislikes influence my opinions.
When one driver gets all the british media favours I will question it. Is that ok?!

I thought with the Toyota was marginal call, maybe Lew was legal, but with Webber seemed very deliberate. The racing line, whilst slim, was not so slim on the straights, especially when cars where looking for wet to save their tyres blistering. So Lew move on Web, if not the Toyota, was aggressive, if not deserving of a penalty was definitely deserving of scrutiny by the stewards. To not do so seems to be favouring Lew, as had it been any other driver there would surely have been.

[Radar]

I am a Webber fan but I am big enough to know that sticking your nose down the side of the guy in front of you does not entitle you the racing line. As with Hammy the week before and its up to the guy behind to take avoidance. Starting to believe you're an anti-hammy fan and not a F1 first and foremost. It was wet and the racing was just that racing. Webber's position was nothing to do with anyone else but his own driving.

[evnmorehonestjon]

Yeh course it is, though why you singled Massa out I dont know, as a few did same.
Am I alone in thinking it strange that Lew's actions with Web n th Toyota were dubious to say the least?
Not that I wanted stewards involved, just seemed like they were giving Lew a day of scotfree driving, possibly as a compromise trade off?
Even Brundle thought Lew was pushing it & he a Lew fan, so why a Web fan takes offence at that I dont know- you are a Web fan aint you Radar?

[Radar]

Good race shame Webber did not do better. Oh and we won't mention Massa cutting straight across a corner with Hamilton hot on his heels so he did not have to slow!!! Bet that does not count as an advantage in your book. Hey Evnmore??

[evnmorehonestjon]

Excellent race, Vettel even though having pole still did excellent to win.
Lew' again showed why he's top of the standings & favourite to win it.

I shall be the first to say it on here......was Lew lucky not to get investigated for either his move on the Toyota, or on Webber near the end, both times squeezing off track?
Even super Lew fan Brundle said he thought Lew was pushing his luck.

[pete]

BRAVO DOUG POSTED AT 10 SEP AT 7.30AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At last someone living in the real world all will be revealed 22nd sep think they wont change it they never do fia that is! so good !!!! rules are rules ! so lets all just enjoy rest of season when massa lifts title in brazil

[evnmorehonestjon]

Yeh quali was good, Webber done well, especially to get his best time as track worsened, shame DC couldnt be there though. Wont jinx him.....
Am baffled by Lew'/McLar' tyre decision though, however come the race, barring an incident Lew will surely be in top half dozen by 1st pit window, presume he will go long.
There are a few who shared my opinion that you should leave it for a corner, though its obviously not worded as such in the rule book.
Glad to see the track has its own 'penalties' instead of the stewards doing it, Alonso et al showed it wont ruin your race, but you unlikely to gain an advantage from cutting the track.
Should be good race, I hope for no controversy, a little rain to spice it up, & at least one red bull on the podium!

[Radar]

Just watched qualifying, Webber Third brilliant. I also see they have done 2 things for this race. Put obsticals on the tarmaced run offs and clarified that you must wait one corner before retaking shd you cut a corner and gain a place. So even they thought the rule was if'y to have to explain it. McLaren also made another tactical error with tyre choice for hammy, they don't make it easy for themselves!!

[evnmorehonestjon]

As far as I'm concerned, & it seems at least a few of Lewis' fellow F1 drivers, the advantage he gained wasnt speed, but the fact that had he took the corner he wouldnt have been in a position to pass- well not at that corner at least.
There are a few decent arguments to be said, but had Lewis took that corner he wouldnt have been able to overtake, therefore he gained an advantage by cutting the corner, which is against the rules.

simple physics, hamillton lifted to let kimi through, how can you have a speed advantage when you are being overtaken. you must be going slower or he would not pass. kimi then messed up as he cant drive in the wet so lewis retook the lead. but as ferari are a bunch of pansies they complain. anyway as far as i am concerned mclaren won the constructors championship last year not ferari they make me sick

[evnmorehonestjon]

Aye, seen that, remember most of them!

I have trawled through the rules as much as I can be arsked, but no clear rule that says anything bout this situ.

If, as you say, the rule says its just position you have to give up after illegally cutting a corner, then the punishment is wrong.

Sure this shall run & run till the 22nd!
Cant wait to see how impartial ITV is this weekend!

BTW betcha a McLaren wins & Massa retires

[Radar]

By the way if you want to have a laugh and see that the FIA have got previous form on making dodgy rulings. Have a look at the Orange top 10 on the previous page.

[Radar]

The rules can be found on the FIA's web site. Some of them are as clear as mud. They might as well be written in Italian. Oooops a little bit of sarcasm!!

[evnmorehonestjon]

Radar
Can you tell me where I can find that rule?

Hamilton was stripped of his victory in last Sunday's Belgian GP after he was deemed to have gained an advantage by cutting a chicane.

In his battle with Kimi Raikkonen for the lead, Hamilton cut a chicane putting him in front of Raikkonen on the track. However, the McLaren driver yielded the position only to pass Raikkonen at the very next corner.

As a result the race stewards ruled that he had gained a speed advantage by cutting the chicane and subsequently slapped him with a 25-second retrospective drive-through penalty.

This is a sentiment echoed by Toyota's Jarno Trulli. "I agree the penalty was quite big but I am not a steward. But it is also clear he got an advantage," he said.

"The rules are very clear, if you cut the chicane you get the advantage you have to drop it and lose advantage, in Lewis' case he should not attack in the first corner that is it.

"This last chicane, they have a lot of run off area they give you more chance to attack because in case of mistake you won't end up in wall or gravel. We have more chance to overtake."

Williams driver Nico Rosberg added: "He did have an advantage because he would not so close if he had not cut the chicane but the penalty was a bit harsh as it did not have a big result in the end result

[Radar]

I'm sorry but the rule is clear give the place back. Which he did. You're right Kimmi shd have held it for at least one corner, but he cocked it up. That's not anyone else fault but his own. By the way Kimmi went off 5 times this morning in wet practice. That's probably Mclarens fault as well. This at the end of the day is interpretation not letter of the law. Which stinks a bit in my book. Good job it wasn't Webber or I'd really blow a fuse.

[evnmorehonestjon]

I thought the rule said to gain no advantage, which is why I believe he is right to be punished even though I prefer, like any racing fan, the race to be settled on the track. The position wasnt all of Lews advantage, though obviously it is a big advantage that Kimi should of held for at least a corner!
As I was ridiculed by some Lewis fans for saying, it is good to see current driver say that Lew should of left it for a corner.
As for the unsafe rule, I dont know for sure what the rules say is punishment for it, but think Massa did the sensible thing so he shouldnt be punished, but Ferrari, by letting him go, did do something wrong so should be punished.
Same as if McLaren lose the appeal & get more penalty, I hope it either a fine or team points that get docked, not the drivers.

[Radar]

Evnmore. I'm just seeking clarification because it mentions nothing to do with Advantage which is the excuse Ferrari gave. It shd of been was it safe or unsafe, Ferrari admitted it was unsafe. The rule under which they have penalised McLaren states the place must be given back. It does not mention by how much, yet they make up a distance/time that's not in the rule. It just does not make sense to me if rules is rules!!

[evnmorehonestjon]

The time penalty is definitely not my preffered option, the track should be designed to take away any off track advantage. Seems daft that if you are on track but go off the racing line you lose grip (& so speed too), yet Kimi got good momentum from an off, & Lewis gained an advantage.

More kitty litter should be used, or, if possible, a surface that loses a lot of grip vs the track, but without possible beachings.

Ferrari deserved a fine for Massa in pit lane, but a time/grid penalty would of been daft. Think time/grid penalty is a maximum not a standard isnt it Radar? Given that other driver didnt have to take avoiding action, no-one gained or ceded position, & no incident occurred, fine is the right decision, surely?

[Phil]

The loser in all the F1 controvosy is the racing. It's caused by inconsistent rulings which leave fans, rightly or wrongly, with a sense that all is not fair. It would probably have been harsh to give Massa a drive through penalty. He was found guilty of an offence involving danger. Having studied last weeks overtaking incident, at best it is inconclusive. Hamilton was so much faster all round at that stage and with the Ferrari breaking early, it is difficult to draw any conclusion, certainly there is no justification to change the result.I like many others will no longer watch F1. It leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.

[Radar]

Can anyone tell me if I'm understanding this one correctly please. The previous race when the UNSAFE release took place. The rule as I understand it (May be wrong it is F1 after all)shd have resulted in a 10sec penalty or a grid drop next race. Ferrari claim 'No advantage'. But the rule is was it safe or UNSAFE. So how come it was only a fine?

[Baz]

Sure I hear what everyone says and of course we are all entitled an opinion. The simple fact remains that I like many others on here probably wont be watching this processional rubbish for much longer. Im sure I can find something more productive to do with 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon. Perhaps I need to watch a sport where the same rules apply to everyone!

[Caz]

Yes, but bias of any kind ruins it for me. It was the same when it was all Schumacher. There are 19 other good drivers out there and I'd like to hear more about them.

[evnmorehonestjon]

Agreed, but dont let your annoyance at ITVs pro-Lewis bias influence you.
Lewis is a good driver in a strong team, & love him or loathe him, he could become a great.

[Caz]

I am fed up with being told I will support Hamilton because he is British. Nationality has never been important to me. I enjoy the sport as a whole and don't follow a specific team. I am fed up of this Hamilton bias, they should rename F1 ITV the Lewis show. I hope this bias won't continue when coverage moves to the BBC. I can't help but feel that some of the responses here are by people continuing the "must support the British whatever" view. Hamilton did wrong. He always makes mistakes when the pressure is on. He's not the god people make him out to be.

[evnmorehonestjon]

Sure Ferrari would, sure McLaren would & any other team, they are all competitive as each other.
The truth is that no team has that power, despite what the fantastists say, or the bad losers wish to be true.
I know its a disapointing way for a F1 race to end, but dont be blind to the truth.

[Baz]

Seems that just like Ducati in the motorcycle world - if they cant win on the track they make the call and get the rules changed! Guess the Italians have a different idea of what it takes to win. Anydamthing perhaps?

[evnmorehonestjon]

Doug
You are spot on mate, & win the prize for most sensible Lewis fan on this forum.

Hami made a mistake, gained an advantage & got punished.
Its an experience that should help him to be less rash next time. Hopefully.

[George]

I've had enough of the FIA treating the sport like some sort of plaything so they simply get the result they want out of it all. Hamilton was robbed pure and simple and if that isn't agreed upon with this appeal I'm with timbo and I'm done with F1. There'd be no point after that.

[James]

There seems to be one set of rules for McLaren and anouther set for every one else Why did it take till after the race to decide a punishment ( what was rong was Fararis phone emgaged and the FIA had to wait to ask them what to do )

[timbo]

Good luck Hammi, unfortunatley I won't be watching anymore, that call was the straw that broke the camels back. FIA at its blatant worse. Hoping they'll get their house in order and soon.

[OwlFan]

I cannot quite get to grips with the delight over Alonso. Is he really all that? I guess he must be if that many teams are fighting over his serivces. Either that or he's got a super agent.

[Reg76]

Doug, you're clearly a Ferrari lover. Dodgy call mate.

[Reg76]

Doug, you're clearly a Ferrari lover. Dodgy call mate.

[Doug]

Not sure what the fuss is all about. I'm a Hamilton fan but clearly he overtook too early at Spa. He had more momentum than Raikkonen and should have just eased. That shows inexperience. Ok, a 25-second penalty might be harsh but those are the rules if you gain an advantage by cutting a chicane. But he'll learn his lesson and I'm sure he'll still go on to win the title no problems at all.

[James Vickers]

I see they've appealed anyone so you got that call wrong and I'm glad they have. I'd heard that they might not bother appealing although I now remain sceptical that anything will be done at all. The FIA actually makes me livid. No other sporting body acts like that.

[Disgusted]

Does anyone have the FIA e mail address as I feel everyone should have the right to send them their thoughts on their actions and I mean everyone

[Ray]

I understand they may not want to "rock the boat" re an appeal,and on performance he should win anyway. However with the Ferrari effect - another biased and ill thought through penalty is sure to arise before the end of the season..then McLaren may feel robbed, again!

[Tim B]

McLaren gotta appeal. They know it was a disgrace that Hamilton got robbed of victory. But I guess they also know the FIA's biased against them and pro-Ferrari.