Yes, but Ferrari is trying to play the words. They weren't officially asked to let Kubica past, but Charlie suggested that based on what he knew it would be a good idea if they did so. Yes, the timeline of events from the stewards makes the entire thing look stupid, but they're trying to shove blame back by bluring Charlie's actions and the FIA's role.
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2010 Formula One Thread
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Yes, but Ferrari is trying to play the words. They weren't officially asked to let Kubica past, but Charlie suggested that based on what he knew it would be a good idea if they did so. Yes, the timeline of events from the stewards makes the entire thing look stupid, but they're trying to shove blame back by bluring Charlie's actions and the FIA's role.
It's not that simple, their actions put them in breach of the sporting and potentially the technical regulations, in the former it doesn't have to be specifically worded as a written rule, because the rule itself allowed the stewards to distribute:
"instructions to competitors by means of special circulars in accordance with the Code. These circulars will be distributed to all competitors who must acknowledge receipt."
Which is done at each race, and therefore any such memo's fall under article 15.1 of the Sporting Regulations, and with which they were subsequently punished.
Therefore McLaren were quite aware that they had to complete their in-lap within a specified time, and by not doing so they would be in breach of article 15.1 of the Sporting Regulations.
That the contents of the memo were not specifically worded in the rules is neither here nor there, the memo was published under article 15.1 and was enforceable as such.
But given Martin Whitmarsh's rather disingenuous words after they were given the penalty, I suggest that it is quite clear that McLaren knew exactly what they were doing when they (short) fuelled Lewis.
I do find it puzzling how you can so categorically claim they weren't cheating though. The assumption that Hamilton made a close call is wholly debatable, given for that to be the case for example, McLaren must have made at least 2 enormous errors. The first being that they didn't put enough fuel in the car to complete qualifying and return to the pits and give a sample. The second is that they continued to not notice this error until the in-lap, when they told Lewis that he needed to stop, otherwise he would run out of fuel, would not be able to give the sample and would therefore be not only in breach of article 15.1 but also article 6.6.2 of the Technical Regulations.
Whilst the former is perhaps in itself possible, the second mistake is highly improbable given the telemetry data from the car, and the fact that the team were obviously paying attention to it, as they told Lewis to stop on the in-lap otherwise he wouldn't have enough fuel left to provide a sample.
Of course what they should've done as soon as they realised their refuelling error, was to call Lewis in to the pits, even if this meant that he wouldn't be able to complete his final qualifying lap. But then, McLaren are a team of somewhat dubious integrity.
What this amounts to is that they were able to run their car lighter than is required to comply with all of the regulations, and of course which also subsequently gave them a grossly unfair advantage over the other teams who were in compliance.
It was by definition, cheating and I don't see how it can be considered anything other than such.
Superman07 said:
I don't think they are trying to play the words, Ferrari's point is there was no stewards decision (if their account is to be believed of course).
It would have been different if Charlie had come back on the radio and informed Ferrari that the stewards have said you will be penalised unless you hand back the position, then there's no reason to doubt Ferrari would have instructed Alonso to yield the place back.
The problem again is the timeline, it took too long for the stewards to make a decision, but in this case, it appears that Race Control was also giving erroneous information to Ferrari as well.
rezenclowd3
macrumors 65816
Oh didn't clarify. "Hamilton's close call" was referring to him passing the safety car line before the safety car did.
Whilst not directly F1 associated I hope everyone at Ferrari is suitably embarrassed by this travesty.
Better check to see if Enzo is spinning in his grave
I've never thought the Acer Ferrari notebooks were a good idea but this is clearly much worse.
I can deal with it - as long as they don't build an SUV!
Please, God, don't let them do THAT.
I can deal with it - as long as they don't build an SUV!
Please, God, don't let them do THAT.
<gunshot...body hits floor>
I fear my love for automobiles will die a little when the last few car companies succumb to the SUV craze...
It was an interesting day of practice on Friday. But then comes Saturday with RBR on top in practice 3. What are the odds of a Red Bull not being on pole today? I'd say pretty pretty low...
you mean like porsche cayenne (aka vw touareg)<gunshot...body hits floor>
I fear my love for automobiles will die a little when the last few car companies succumb to the SUV craze...
I'm watching qualifying in the USA on Speed. They just said that Liuzzi had a huge accident. That's what they consider a huge accident? Times sure have changed
That wheel separating from the chassis was dangerous though...
That wheel separating from the chassis was dangerous though...
The original releases of both were built off a shared platform/development. I think this is still true of the current generations but I'm not 100% sure. Whilst they share a platform you don't get Porsche engines, suspension etc in the VW.
Well that was just shameful from Ferrari. Obvious team orders over the radio and Massa let him overtake without even bothering to even make it look legal. They absolutely must get penalised for that.
Normal cheating service returned by the red team.
Normal cheating service returned by the red team.
Yeah, it is. Apparently there's a bit in the race rules' that says that no team instructions must affect the outcome of the race'.
As both drivers and the team have clearly colluded to alter the race result I agree: no points for either car in the drivers and constructors championship.
Wow.. I can't believe what Stefano di Montecarlo said in that post race interview.
Rob Smedley has been a bit of a legend throughout. It may cost him his job, and Massa is putting his best face on it, but if Ferrari don't get penalised, then there is little hope. It is still telling that the team with the best comraderie are leading both championships.
EDIT: BTW - Eddie Jordan as an "interrogative" F1 journalist seems to work well. Him and Ted Kravitz pick up a lot of little tidbits.