Craig. wrote on Sep 7^th, 2008 at 12:18pm:



Thanks. My inspired edit to Heidfeld from Alonso at 1158 BST yesterday!

As for the penalty, as David Croft said, the Belgian stewards have been a complete joke. Just watched the replay, and no way did that need any penalty.

A) he was forced to take the line by Kimi

B) as protocol dictates, he surrendered the place back.

C) it's then made utterly irrelevant by Kimi sticking it in the wall.

If the stewards hadn't made so many other daft decisions, I'd almost think they were favouring someone. I think that's fairer than to suggest they may have been discriminating against someone in particular, for any potential reason.

While risking my neck I shall try to explain how the FIA have seen it.

Firstly there is history with this sort of incident. Alonso at Suzuka a few years back took a place at the chicane, gave the position back and immediatly passed the guy on the track, a few laps later he was forced to back off a fair amount to give the position back again because it was deemed he had not allowed the other driver to firmly set himself back in the position.
Now this situation (remember I think this is a BS call and yes Mclaren have appealed, not that they have much luck in the courts, but this could be a few weeks till we know)
In Kimi's case, he had every right to use all the track he needed, on slicks in rapidly worsing conditions that was bound to be more than normal. Lewis was not ahead as he claims, he was alongside therefore he was in a position where he should have backed off to make the corner, hardheadedness in both cases, but Kimi had the racing line and thus it was Lewis' position to yield.
Next, Lewis took a straight line shortcut down the straight with much better traction, Kimi had to go the long way round and was unable to get the power down at all and Lewis gave him the postion back at this point, so Lewis with better traction did not lose out at all and infact gained regardless of him being behind Kimi, he gained track position regardless and an advantage by going off the track. I think once proper onboards are released for it, it'll be shown.
That is most likely how the FIA will have seen it, along with the telemetry they have access to that we dont.
Again, in the long run it's BS and I hope in the end it doesn't go down as a title decider. Much like Lewis didn't want the title last year on an erronious fuel temp, I'm sure Massa doesn't want to win the title on what was a hard but in general fair racing incident?

That's a fair point Craig, and you're right in what you summise.. BUT if the positions were reversed (Kimi short cutting the chicane) I honestly couldn't envisage the same result.. call me a cynic, but I really now believe there's a witch-hunt/vendetta against McLaren/Lewis.

Nothing to do with skin colour of course...   

Craig ...... I don't think we need to get into the whole spy BS again. However even you have to admit that it looks like there's some sort of favouritism toward Ferrari and that given all the circumstances of the last couple of races it is becoming more and move evident.
I'm not saying that it's Ferrari's fault but I would go so far as to speculate about certain peoples motives and alleged "Nazi" leanings.

Sorry ... putting my 2 cents worth in again ... I think some people are getting on very dangerous ground here.  Maybe I'm the naive one but I don't t hink this has anything to do with the Ferrari team, skin colour or political leanings.

What is on record is Mosley's comment a while back that he feels that Ferrari are the most important team in F1 partly because of who they are and because of their enormous legacy to the sport and their fan base.

Now, maybe it's just me again but, those comments should have been enough to tip people off that if there are any decisions to be made then obviously Ferrari will be treated with kid gloves because of their perceived position.

Unfortunately it will always be the sport of F1 that will suffer in the long run since ordinary spectators who just want to see a great race are 'cheated' time and again by seemingly 'unjust' decisions and will eventually voice their dissatisfaction by going elsewhere.

Agreed! ...... something funny is definitely going on and I know what you mean about anger and frustration.  GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Although I bet that Mosley will be wheeled out at the appeal hearing as the whipping boy!  

just like to say if you want good racing tune into the IRL race.
Thats providing some seriously exciting stuff. 3 wide for 5 laps.
And the one Brit I do support in Wheldon, is doing well.