Belgian GP 2009 - Spa Francorchamps

[WhiteBlue]

I was uncomfortable with the way the PTB have handled off track action at La Source before. Alonso pushed his team mate off there some years ago and nobody cared because there was an asphalt run off that could be used as an extension of the track.

In my book forcing a competitor off track into gravel or onto asphalt should make no difference. They disregarded Mr. Alonso's unsporting behavior so it seems logical that you should be allowed to use the asphalt run off as an extension of the race track. Shite politics but consistent.

I'm much in favour of treating everything off track the same way. So if you force a competitor off track into gravel, a ravine, a concrete wall or an asphalt run off should be the same. Punishment should be meted out regardless of the location. Same goes for overtaking competitors off track. Kimi drove a great race with fantastic aggression and popular applause. Nevertheless he went off track and gained position. He did not cut the corner but went around on the outside. This is against conventional wisdom. But he profited from using the off track tarmac to avoid braking which he would have been forced if he had stayed on track. I think it is wrong to allow this. Obviously this is opinion and the PTB thinks different. I just think rules should be clear, absolute and the same for all. Ferrari prooved again that it does not apply to them.

[WhiteBlue]

oops DP

[ESPImperium]

it's fine to have all four wheels off the track when you're overtaking a ferrari, of course :D

I've noticed it before, does anybody know what the black rectangle thing is? its behing the right wing mirror and sticks up from the sidepod by about 5cm. it's between and above the speaker and full screen buttons on the iplayer

Force India have chosen that as their place for their telemetry data transmitter. Seemingly they are testing out this for the the rule change in 2011 for standardised telemetry systems that are open to all to see, and for teams to compair say Sutil to say Jenson and such things like that. All this is part of the standardised ECU and electronics packaging that the cars are going to start to have to have on them.

Thats where the transmitter for each car will be mandated to have it, as they are also going to try and remove all the different radio transmitters and the likes from the drivers view for 2011 as well.

Each team is testing something out at the moment for future years rule tinkerings.

[James]

oh wow that's fascinating, thanks for the explanation. I cant wait for next year

[n smikle]

go straight thru the grass and not turn back in directly front of Kubica.

This discussion has nothing to do with LH, it is regarding Kimi's indiscretions and the stewards failure to act consistently.

Watch Kimi's onboard, after going off he continues in a straight line and the curve of the track brings him back on track. To turn left onto the grass would've been madness

He can use the brake pedal. Gauge his self up to come out behind the other car.

[tk421]

Kimi passed 2 cars while off track after La Source, Ferrari get away with cheating again.. what's new?

If it's not been said already, I think this race is a terrific example of why a driver should receive one Championship point for attaining Pole Position...

[Conceptual]

I guess the real question here is "Did Kimi engage the KERS while off track?"

That would be the most telling. If he did, then I say foul, but if not, then I say OK.

IS this information available?

[flynfrog]

I guess the real question here is "Did Kimi engage the KERS while off track?"

That would be the most telling. If he did, then I say foul, but if not, then I say OK.

IS this information available?

wouldn't it make more sense to merge at speed than 10mph slower

Sorta like the old lady who I swear to god one day I will just run over that manages to get in front of me ever morning on the on ramp

[modbaraban]

Kimi passed 2 cars while off track after La Source, Ferrari get away with cheating again.. what's new?

You seem to be pretty worried about Kimi running wide there. Is it ok for Button and Badoer? And last year it was half the field including Raikkonen, Massa and Hamilton IIRC. Nobody was penalized.

And for the record Kimi was 3rd before leaving the track so KERS usage is quite irrelevant here. It was just about avioding contact just like in every other situation except that the car is red.

[Ray]

I think that black hole that's being talked about in another topic would engulf us all if Lewis ever drove for Ferrari. You wouldn't be able to criticize Hamilton without being accused of being a racist 'hater', yet on the other hand the Ferraris get away with everything because of the FIA and the color of the car. That's a unstoppable force meeting an immovable object situation if I've ever seen one. Oh the fickle fans of F1.

[nipo]

All-in-all a great race to watch. Generally there's been quite a few overtaking manouvres. It's surely good for the show and we've missed those for long enough!

Kimi seems to be very determined and had a particularly strong fighting spirit at this track. He really had to earn his victory, much like the way Button did several times earlier this season, perhaps under more difficult conditions.

Allow me to say this but if you noticed, Fisi just allowed Kimi to come up behind him too close when the Safety Car pitted. At that point I was thinking "Oh, there, Kimi has a good chance", and you all know what happened next... If I remember right when Alonso was is his winning ways one of his key strengths was to pull away after an SC period. He usually managed a 1-2s gap in just a few corners, when his pace was actually not that much quicker then the car behind (the gap only increased much less dramatically afterwards). I really think that's one of the things that separates a champion from a very quick driver. Of course that might have to do with the R26/27 being good at keeping the tyres warm or whatever, but, my point is Fisi is just letting Kimi get too close... That, together with KERS, probably cost him the victory.

I wouldn't call it a fantastic drive from Fisi as a result. He had the machine to win, but he didn't deliver.

I agree Kimi's move back on track in front of the BMW might have been a little too aggressive. But it works for me having witnessed Luca concede a place at the pits last time. Man, you've got to have some balls for racing!

If you ask me, I'd rather prefer having the dangerous Romain on track than the dull Luca (I am not saying I fancy crazy drivers, don't get me wrong). All respect to Luca for I think he genuinely tried his best, but I really hope that the second Ferrari will be driven by a proper racer in Monza.

Oh... and... Trulli must be truly sad!!!

[n smikle]

Force India? Machine to win? never thought i would hear that

I think he did the best that anybody could do. Even if Michael Schumacher was in there I don't think he would have won. Kimi had it planned out from the start.

[sknguy]

Fisi just allowed Kimi to come up behind him too close when the Safety Car pitted. At that point I was thinking "Oh, there, Kimi has a good chance", and you all know what happened next...

And I seem to recall in the past, when Fisi was Alonso's wing man at Renault, he'd had trouble keeping pesky cars in the back. lol

But, good for Fisi and good for Kimi. A thoroughly enjoyable race. I don't think there was much to complain about Kimi's off at turn one. If any team thinks otherwise I'm sure they'll protest.

I was absolutely amazed at the speed of the Force India car. Cranky! They had it dialed in for those turns. That was cool! Looks like the Force India car IS for real. They had me fooled.

[ringo]

I think that black hole that's being talked about in another topic would engulf us all if Lewis ever drove for Ferrari. You wouldn't be able to criticize Hamilton without being accused of being a racist 'hater', yet on the other hand the Ferraris get away with everything because of the FIA and the color of the car. That's a unstoppable force meeting an immovable object situation if I've ever seen one. Oh the fickle fans of F1.

If Hamilton went to ferrari who would be his team mate?
You trying to scare Alonso, so that kimi keeps his seat?

[ss.vamsikrishna]

What Kimi has done today is beyond awesome...i dont have words to praise him ...
i have been his long time fan, and always will be for rest of my life...he is the best ...he was determined ..and i have a strange feeling that when he is at SPA he feels that he owns that circuit..that makes him much more superior than usual...

To the man Kimi..take that Alonso in your face

Kimi winning with a much much inferior car then the pack...and did it in style...

also to Force India..they did a great job esp Fisi...

So to the Man Kimi, and to my country India