Formula 1, Moto GP, WSB, 2021 Season
- Thread starter AMGeed
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What a thoroughly unsatisfying end to an F1 season. Instead of reflecting on a season of close racing and rivalry, we are left with an ugly truth that the sport we all enjoy is well and truly broken. I hope something changes before next season, otherwise the stench will be somewhat overpowering.
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A sorry state of affairs in that we have the incorrect World Champion for a year. Will be interesting to see LH’s viewpoint in the cold light of day.
Can you imagine what Christian Horner would have been like had the roles been reversed? Apoplectic I reckon.
Had Max scampered away at the start, or got to the front through strategy, then fair enough. Though I would have preferred a win for Lewis, I would tip my hat to Max. And in fairness to him, he and Red Bull have done nothing wrong here. Lewis and Mercedes must feel like they have been mugged by the officials. Bizarre.
Darrell
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Yep.
Like most things these days where so much money is involved it comes down to rules, regulations, accusations, lawsuits, protests and more. There always seems to be a bloke that thinks he’s a little bit more important than what he actually is and he always appears to have a fancy title.
It’s such a shame really but it seems to be happening more and more. As a sports lover I find it very sad.
Dryce
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The joys of writing regulations (or specifications, or contracts).
And the joys of interpreting them.
My interpretation is that the stewards have wriggled their way out of that - very Coulthard-esque perhaps.
So what *I think* has happened
- the Race Director has actually broken the regulations
And what I think that Red Bull "think" has happened
- It's OK that some lapped cars didn't unlap - and that anyway the race directory has authority to bring in the safety car at any time
And I think that the race director would like us to think:
- I was just doing my job - to get them to race and that's what they've all told me they wanted.
And I would theorise that the stewards think:
- oh sh*t why did this happen to us - let's just find a way to get ridv of it tonight without changing anything. Let them sort it out in the appeal.
And the broadcasters ...... pundits ...... a field day - loads of stuff to discuss and keep the whole thing alive.
I wonder what the other teams and drivers actually think. These days cars are reliable on track compard with days gone by. DNFs in critical situations are actually quite rare. But modern safer more reliable racing seems to have introduced more in the way of arbitrary impact of rules and regulations to replace these - so penalties for on track stuff and track limits - and penalties for component changes.
This means the regulations and their interpretationand their implementation are more important than ever.
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One thing I think we can all agree on is that this is the only occasion on which Nicholas Latifi will determine who becomes world champion...
Dryce
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I think the emotion and language would have been stronger.
I suspect that much of the discussion here would be pretty much the same as it has been this afternoon and evening.
Given the way he did that today; unless he is leaving F1, I respectfully disagree…
I wonder what the late Charlie Whiting would have done?
Several thousand revs at the moment…
Charlie was much more authoritarian and viewed with much more respect than the current incumbent. He was also more consistent and more decisive. Qualities sadly lacking and very much needed right now.
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Aha, now I see.
Very big shake of head.
Very big shake of head.
His little "that's called motor racing Toto" in his exchange and the end of the race, is the equivalent of Max saying "that's what you get for not leaving space!" at Monza. It shows a complete lack of respect for the team principles (he was no more respectful to Christian earlier in the race).
Today's decision making by the race director was not motor racing. It looked instead to be very much the work of someone trying to avoid the wrath of Mssrs Horner et al and/or Liberty Media and maybe Joe Public via the opinion polls, who may have been miffed that the final race of the season would end under the safety car and that the 'wrong' driver would get the championship. His job would have been made so much easier had Lewis gone in for a fresh set at the end, that way it could have finished under the safety car and the correct result given out without further ado. As it is, this will rumble on for ages and will further drag F1 down some grubby little path in the name of commercial expediency.
Red C220
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Fred's reaction to the initial decision not to allow cars to unlap themselves.
Doodle
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As an aside, turning up at the track with legal counsel in tow sets a pretty clear statement of intent.
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It will be interesting to see whether Verstappen keeps the victory. My opinion (for what it's worth - not much...) is that if the positions were reversed Lewis would have taken advantage of the circumstances in exactly the same way - that's his job - and Verstappen should not be penalised for the race director's ****-ups, whatever the motives behind them.
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It always had potential for post race legal shenanigans. So, smart move by MB I think.
Max and Red Bull, as mentioned earlier have done nothing wrong today and for sure had roles been reversed, Lewis and MB would have done the same thing. Given that due the screw up by the race director resulted in sh!tty conclusion to the race. Admitting that mistake and reversing the result would have resulted in even more controversy, further illustrating his inability to make a decision. So the stewards stuck with it just so everyone could go home today. This will unfortunately go to the courts, where again I expect Mercedes to lose their appeal. The train set belongs to the FIA, they aren’t going to admit their man screwed Lewis and Mercedes over in Abu Dhabi.
Doodle
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Nobody else appeared to feel the need.
