Not sorry to see Vettel get a penalty. His move against Ricciardo was stupid. Just because he drives a red car doesn't give him a right to be stupid. As time goes on Vettel gets more desperate in his driving.
I didn't see it quite that way, Ricky Racer was coming on hard and locked em up and slid, Vettel drove straight as far as he could, till he had to turn left, as it is he was still almost off track.
Remember that new rule they came up with because Verstappen came across in front of someone while both of them were braking? Who was the driver who complained about that and pushed for a rule against that sort of behavior...was it Vettel?
Kidding aside, I wouldn't be surprised if Vettel's penalty was as much about his radio tirade as it was about his driving. "Meh, that move is close to a punishable offense but I don't know...but we can't let him get away with that childish tantrum over the radio so let's call it."
It very well could be his radio tirade was taken into account. I think the FIA wants that to die so this was a way to kill two birds with one stone without mentioning his cursing out Charlie.
Thanks for the video gif link of the incident. I agree at the apex, Vettel was forced to turn left to follow the track and did nothing wrong.
But... the moving under braking that I see Vettel doing happened right at the start of the video gif and well before the turn. Vettel moved to the left under braking there. At least that is what I am seeing. It's subtle, and it happens just about the time of the puff of tire smoke from the Ferrari.
I dunno, I can't believe you're not allowed to defend your line if you're ahead, and Vettel was well ahead, when Ricciardo stuck his nose in there.....
But - what about what Hamilton did on the opening lap?
In theory, the stewards would have reviewed things like telemetry, etc, to decide whether Vettel and Ricciardo were under braking when Vettel moved over to block and whether it constituted a dangerous move. Love the new Verstappen Rule or hate it, you can't cross to block in the braking zone. Considered too dangerous. I still say this example may have been borderline and other...factors may have been taken into consideration but that's my own little conspiracy theory.
As to the Turn 1 biz, here's the official word on that...take from it what you will.....
Why Hamilton escaped Mexican GP Turn 1 sanction (motorsport.com)
Hmmm, but not as a Bernie replacement unit. I like the split responsibilities idea...wonder whether that was Brawn's idea.
Not only does he seem particularly well suited for the sporting and regs role, it should stop Bernie's meddling.
Now Liberty need to figure out how to reign in Bernie's anti-sport money grubbing ways re venues, etc. But something tells me as investors they're a bit less interested in that fix.
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