Maldonado's punishment, Spa 2011

[gridwalker]

Given the debate that is raging in the race thread, someone had to ask the question ... Is Maldonado's 5 place grid penalty a fair punishment for apparently sideswiping another driver deliberately?

Now that there is a thread for this, can we clean up the discussion in the race thread now?

[beelsebob]

Went with 3 race ban from here. Also, damn you, your new icon is mesmerising for some reason.

[gridwalker]

For some reason, my old avatar got corrupted and the colours went a bit funny : I guess I was overdue for a change anyway, as I took that pic at the 2007 race of champions!

[wesley123]

The Stewards once again show how fair they are. If you hold up someone accidently you get a five place grid penalty, but driving onto another driver serves the same penalty? Maldonado should at least be pushed back to the last place of the grid, although I was more into a race ban.

[myurr]

The Stewards once again show how fair they are. If you hold up someone accidently you get a five place grid penalty, but driving onto another driver serves the same penalty? Maldonado should at least be pushed back to the last place of the grid, although I was more into a race ban.

+1

It's not exactly consistent with other penalties that have been handed out is it...

[beelsebob]

The Stewards once again show how fair they are. If you hold up someone accidently you get a five place grid penalty, but driving onto another driver serves the same penalty? Maldonado should at least be pushed back to the last place of the grid, although I was more into a race ban.

+1

It's not exactly consistent with other penalties that have been handed out is it...

Sure it is – Hamilton was involved, therefore the decision went against him – that's very consistent.

[siskue2005]

The Stewards once again show how fair they are. If you hold up someone accidently you get a five place grid penalty, but driving onto another driver serves the same penalty? Maldonado should at least be pushed back to the last place of the grid, although I was more into a race ban.

yup , so true
i can bet if it was MS or Lewis...it would have been atleast 10 place grid penalty!

[beelsebob]

The Stewards once again show how fair they are. If you hold up someone accidently you get a five place grid penalty, but driving onto another driver serves the same penalty? Maldonado should at least be pushed back to the last place of the grid, although I was more into a race ban.

yup , so true
i can bet if it was MS or Lewis...it would have been atleast 10 place grid penalty!

Don't make me laugh, if it had been Lewis he would have been banned for the rest of the season.

[gridwalker]

You get the same penalty when your gearbox breaks : this is a joke of a penalty.

[ringo]

He makes an Ali G joke outside of competition and Todt would give him 6 weeks ban.

He would have been sent to Guantanamo bay for this one.

[wesley123]

He makes an Ali G joke outside of competition and Todt would give him 6 weeks ban.

He would have been sent to Guantanamo bay for this one.

so true...

[myurr]

Taken from the BBC's iPlayer thumbnail. You can see that Lewis is pointed straight down the track at the point of impact.

[myurr]

Jesus! Watch the highlights program, skip to about 3:18 and you can watch it in car. Lewis was driving straight down the track and Maldonado came shoot across him. There can be no doubt now.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/14691403.stm

[wesley123]

Taken from the BBC's iPlayer thumbnail. You can see that Lewis is pointed straight down the track at the point of impact.

actually Hamilton is even turning left a bit.

[myurr]

Here's a quick and dirty video for those that are interested:

http://www.pureinnovation.com/images/StupidMaldonado.swf