Divine Deutschland
question 1
A strange situation for the F1 teams this weekend as the FIA believe that there is an issue with the RBR engine mapping but said that the team were fine to use it in the race because the rules weren't quite strict enough to penalise RBR. What do you make of this decision?
@SomersF1 : It's Article 5.5.3 that's in question and this relates to pedal maps rather than engine maps. A pedal map is something used by the teams to allow the drivers differing levels of throttle dependent on the throttle position. Between 1 & 99% the teams can make alterations to the reaction of the engine and the input given by the driver. So for arguments sake let's say at 60% pedal position the engine only gives 50% throttle. This is done to manage the way in which the driver is able to corner. However it would seem that Red Bull are however messing with the settings at either 0% ie driver off throttle but the car is still providing power or at 100% pedal position they are curtailing the power. (the more likely as the rule surrounding the maximum throttle is the most ambiguous) Red Bull are effectively gaining both a traction and off throttle blowing effect and although they do so without being in the spirit the rule was intended the rule will need to be re clarified in order for them to be stopped.
@ChrisJ_F1 : FIA showing their consistency once again. I think it's ridiculous to identify a technical issue with a car only to find that the regulations don't cover that area properly. It's a great embarrassment for the FIA, I hope they get their act together in future races.
@cbesudha : From the Canadian GP onwards there was some doubt about RBR using engine mapping to blow exhausts off throttle and claw back the advantage lost by the ban of EBDs. Adrain Newey is a master at exploiting loopholes in the tech regulations. And he has done so. Now it is upto the FIA to clarify/modify the rules and force RBR to change this.The other teams will make sure this happens sooner than later or then they will have to follow suit.
@RobLMyers : It looks like Red Bull have gotten away with using an engine map that's against the spirit and the intention of the rules, but not the absolute letter of the regulations. Basically Red Bull got away with it because the rules weren't written well enough. As much as I think that Red Bull should have been punished, the stewards couldn't really punish them. Red Bull would say that they're being innovative and pushing the limits of the regulations, I suppose. We can expect a 'clarification' of the rules shortly, I'm sure!
@SomersF1 : It's Article 5.5.3 that's in question and this relates to pedal maps rather than engine maps. A pedal map is something used by the teams to allow the drivers differing levels of throttle dependent on the throttle position. Between 1 & 99% the teams can make alterations to the reaction of the engine and the input given by the driver. So for arguments sake let's say at 60% pedal position the engine only gives 50% throttle. This is done to manage the way in which the driver is able to corner. However it would seem that Red Bull are however messing with the settings at either 0% ie driver off throttle but the car is still providing power or at 100% pedal position they are curtailing the power. (the more likely as the rule surrounding the maximum throttle is the most ambiguous) Red Bull are effectively gaining both a traction and off throttle blowing effect and although they do so without being in the spirit the rule was intended the rule will need to be re clarified in order for them to be stopped.
@ChrisJ_F1 : FIA showing their consistency once again. I think it's ridiculous to identify a technical issue with a car only to find that the regulations don't cover that area properly. It's a great embarrassment for the FIA, I hope they get their act together in future races.
@cbesudha : From the Canadian GP onwards there was some doubt about RBR using engine mapping to blow exhausts off throttle and claw back the advantage lost by the ban of EBDs. Adrain Newey is a master at exploiting loopholes in the tech regulations. And he has done so. Now it is upto the FIA to clarify/modify the rules and force RBR to change this.The other teams will make sure this happens sooner than later or then they will have to follow suit.
@RobLMyers : It looks like Red Bull have gotten away with using an engine map that's against the spirit and the intention of the rules, but not the absolute letter of the regulations. Basically Red Bull got away with it because the rules weren't written well enough. As much as I think that Red Bull should have been punished, the stewards couldn't really punish them. Red Bull would say that they're being innovative and pushing the limits of the regulations, I suppose. We can expect a 'clarification' of the rules shortly, I'm sure!
question 2
Which driver most impressed you in the race and why?
@MultiCoolDude34 : Alonso was outstanding, but for me 3 drivers stood out. I think Button had a class drive for McLaren, putting recent poor performances behind him. I also thought Micheal Schumacher was very good for Mercedes. He looked more like the old Micheal. And lastly, I want to mention Petrov in the Caterham, who had a good drive in a weak car.
@MarussiaF1Will : Charles Pic, didn't see much of him during the race but did extremely well to finish P20. Clearly a driver to watch in the near future, got great talent.
@rkid84 : Button for turning up this weekend, when a 6th place is considered poor for quali after recent weekends, then 2nd in the race is good, only downside it is going to take one hell of a push to get him anywhere near the championship battle with Alonso / Webber / Vettel in good form.
@AlonsoManso : Jenson Button after awful and unlucky GP's scored this podium at Hockenheim. Brought up the morale a lot for him and the car didn't have issues finally!!!
@MultiCoolDude34 : Alonso was outstanding, but for me 3 drivers stood out. I think Button had a class drive for McLaren, putting recent poor performances behind him. I also thought Micheal Schumacher was very good for Mercedes. He looked more like the old Micheal. And lastly, I want to mention Petrov in the Caterham, who had a good drive in a weak car.
@MarussiaF1Will : Charles Pic, didn't see much of him during the race but did extremely well to finish P20. Clearly a driver to watch in the near future, got great talent.
@rkid84 : Button for turning up this weekend, when a 6th place is considered poor for quali after recent weekends, then 2nd in the race is good, only downside it is going to take one hell of a push to get him anywhere near the championship battle with Alonso / Webber / Vettel in good form.
@AlonsoManso : Jenson Button after awful and unlucky GP's scored this podium at Hockenheim. Brought up the morale a lot for him and the car didn't have issues finally!!!
question 3
Part A
With the results of the Vettel/Button overtake enquiry yet to be released what do you believe should be the correct decision and consequence by the stewards?
*If you are answering this after the penalty was announced please say what you believe should have been the right decision*
@GeorgeHDavies : Vettel shouldn't of been allowed to keep 2nd, but 20 seconds was harsh. A drive through at Hockenheim is 15 seconds so technically if the stewards don't want to swap the drivers back, that should of been time added.
@jacko2255 : Vettel obviously gained an advantage by going off the track at the hairpin. Button gave him more than enough room to stay on the track, and Vettel didn’t even try and stay on the track. Was the penalty justified? It’s a tricky one. Had it happened with more than 5 laps to go, the chances are that Vettel would have received a drive through penalty. A drive through penalty would have cost Vettel - 11 seconds in the race – not the 20 seconds that was added to his time. The other option would have been to switch Button and Vettel around, using a 5 second time penalty. The problem with this is that it doesn’t set an example to the other drivers. I feel that the 20 second time penalty was justified as it sets an example on what not to do when overtaking. In any case, to avoid the penalty, RBR should have told Red Bull to give the place back.
@icywingsuk : I believe that the penalty issued to Vettel is absolutely correct. Regardless of whether the track boundary is a painted ine or an Armco barrier, the rule is the same, no advantage can be obtained by going beyond the track boundary, which Vettel clearly did. Had their been a barrier or gravel trap there, then he would have backed off and fallen behind. This is a clear cut case, answered by clear facts.
Part B
Christian Horner has questioned why Lewis Hamilton was allowed to get in the way of the battle for the lead. What is your opinion on the situation?
@JoshBohnF1 : If he was faster why shouldn't he be allowed? Created great racing didn't it, what do the fia want? Great racing!
@EmTheEmu : There's no rule saying you can't unlap yourself if you're faster than the leaders - Lewis was totally in his right to do just that.
@hedgeryhoops : I think the actions taken by the stewards was the right one, after watching the Sky Sports F1 squabble between Christian Horner and Damon Hill, I can understand Horner's point of view in saying that Vettel was already ahead when Vettel went completely off the track, but Damon was absolutely right in saying that he wouldn't have been ahead had he not taken the momentum from running directly off. Regarding Hamilton I think everyone expect Red Bull agrees that Hamilton had every right to overtake Vettel despite being a lap behind. The fact that Vettel was in a battle with Alonso is irrelevant, Hamilton had the quickest car on the track at that point, as shown by his ability to keep well ahead of his team mate Button, who was closing himself on Vettel at that time! In fact Horner later conceded that Hamilton had "probably not" done anything wrong.
With the results of the Vettel/Button overtake enquiry yet to be released what do you believe should be the correct decision and consequence by the stewards?
*If you are answering this after the penalty was announced please say what you believe should have been the right decision*
@GeorgeHDavies : Vettel shouldn't of been allowed to keep 2nd, but 20 seconds was harsh. A drive through at Hockenheim is 15 seconds so technically if the stewards don't want to swap the drivers back, that should of been time added.
@jacko2255 : Vettel obviously gained an advantage by going off the track at the hairpin. Button gave him more than enough room to stay on the track, and Vettel didn’t even try and stay on the track. Was the penalty justified? It’s a tricky one. Had it happened with more than 5 laps to go, the chances are that Vettel would have received a drive through penalty. A drive through penalty would have cost Vettel - 11 seconds in the race – not the 20 seconds that was added to his time. The other option would have been to switch Button and Vettel around, using a 5 second time penalty. The problem with this is that it doesn’t set an example to the other drivers. I feel that the 20 second time penalty was justified as it sets an example on what not to do when overtaking. In any case, to avoid the penalty, RBR should have told Red Bull to give the place back.
@icywingsuk : I believe that the penalty issued to Vettel is absolutely correct. Regardless of whether the track boundary is a painted ine or an Armco barrier, the rule is the same, no advantage can be obtained by going beyond the track boundary, which Vettel clearly did. Had their been a barrier or gravel trap there, then he would have backed off and fallen behind. This is a clear cut case, answered by clear facts.
Part B
Christian Horner has questioned why Lewis Hamilton was allowed to get in the way of the battle for the lead. What is your opinion on the situation?
@JoshBohnF1 : If he was faster why shouldn't he be allowed? Created great racing didn't it, what do the fia want? Great racing!
@EmTheEmu : There's no rule saying you can't unlap yourself if you're faster than the leaders - Lewis was totally in his right to do just that.
@hedgeryhoops : I think the actions taken by the stewards was the right one, after watching the Sky Sports F1 squabble between Christian Horner and Damon Hill, I can understand Horner's point of view in saying that Vettel was already ahead when Vettel went completely off the track, but Damon was absolutely right in saying that he wouldn't have been ahead had he not taken the momentum from running directly off. Regarding Hamilton I think everyone expect Red Bull agrees that Hamilton had every right to overtake Vettel despite being a lap behind. The fact that Vettel was in a battle with Alonso is irrelevant, Hamilton had the quickest car on the track at that point, as shown by his ability to keep well ahead of his team mate Button, who was closing himself on Vettel at that time! In fact Horner later conceded that Hamilton had "probably not" done anything wrong.
suggested question - rkid84
50% of the season has now gone, who will be world champion and why do you think he will win?
@KyleBfmv11_F1 : I still thinks its anyone's to win, but i think ferrari will start going downhill, and it'll be one of the red bulls winning the championship, proberly more webber than vettel, because he has experience, and has come so close and lost many times, he knows what it takes to win now.
@DarshanChokhani : The picture is almost clear now, Fernando Alonso is the front runner to clinch the world title and his closest rivals Webber, Vettel, Hamilton, Raikkonen have still a lot of work to do. Alonso now as 34 points lead which is massive with regard to the season we are having.
@KyleBfmv11_F1 : I still thinks its anyone's to win, but i think ferrari will start going downhill, and it'll be one of the red bulls winning the championship, proberly more webber than vettel, because he has experience, and has come so close and lost many times, he knows what it takes to win now.
@DarshanChokhani : The picture is almost clear now, Fernando Alonso is the front runner to clinch the world title and his closest rivals Webber, Vettel, Hamilton, Raikkonen have still a lot of work to do. Alonso now as 34 points lead which is massive with regard to the season we are having.