2017 Singapore Grand Prix - 1st lap crash discussion

[Vasconia]

The incident happened halfway through to the first turn and you won't expect a racing driver to break and back off. If it was around 10 metres from turn 1, yes. But definitely not at midway through. There were 2 drivers who had nothing to lose and one that had everything to lose. Who do you expect to play it cautiously?
[/quote]

What Vettel did was nothing crazy or too risky...under normal conditions. But Kimi was there and Vettel was not aware of his presence so a quite standard "close the door" maneuver became risky and finally a pretty bad move.

[Restomaniac]

What Vettel did was nothing crazy or too risky...under normal conditions. But Kimi was there and Vettel was not aware of his presence so a quite standard "close the door" maneuver became risky and finally a pretty bad move.

But it wasn't a standard 'close the door' as Ves is halfway through the door already if Rai's position does make Ves back out. I wonder how many of those that are defending Vet's clear 'back off or in the wall' attitude (If Vettel keeps going that's the option he gives Ves) we're defending Perez's same attitude towards Ocon at Spa.
If you are in front then its fine but Vet made a bad start and Ves a better one without the Ves back-out they go into turn 1 with Ves up the inside.

[adrianjordan]

I'm just amazed no-one has tried to blame Honda yet

[TAG]

Looking back. It's clear Vet thought he was on the back foot hence his actions. That makes one wonder about his views about himself in the wet.

Does he maybe know deep down that the likes of Ham and Ves have his measure in the rain?

I think he knew he was going to have a tough race ahead of him. The lap he pulled on Saturday was perhaps one of his finest poles but the car was not going to allow him to keep the Red Bulls back, certainly not going to allow him to keep Hamilton back.

I'm ruing the crash because I believe we would have witnessed one of the greatest F1 races in history. With Hamilton and Verstappen showing the rest of the field how to drive in the wet.

https://twitter.com/B1g_B0y/status/909804367221596160

[GrandAxe]

The claim that Vettel could not (or did not) see Kimi is simply ridiculous, even the most ordinary driver on a motorway can see across lanes.

Vettel should completely avoid making such dangerous moves if he truly lacks the reaction time to see a rapidly moving third car outside of him. Leave it to those with the skill to handle electric moves; the likes of Lewis, Ricciardo and Alonso.

[Jolle]

The claim that Vettel could not (or did not) see Kimi is simply ridiculous, even the most ordinary driver on a motorway can see across lanes.

Vettel should completely avoid making such dangerous moves if he truly lacks the reaction time to see a rapidly moving third car outside of him. Leave it to those with the skill to handle electric moves; the likes of Lewis, Ricciardo and Alonso.

Plus: “oh I can’t see that side of the track, let’s cross over there”

[TAG]

Vettel's only failing on Sunday was his staunch belief that Kimi couldn't possibly have gotten a better start than him, therefore he'd not be there.

[GrandAxe]

Well, I will suggest we also look at the second collision between Kimi and Verstappen (and Alonso the Unlucky). It looked like Kimi did not try to stop (even accelerated a bit) until he took Verstappen out. Would anyone comment on that?

Kimi had only three wheels left after the crash. Under those circumstances, it would have required a miracle for him to be able to accelerate into the corner for the second collision.

[George-Jung]

Hahaha what a BS, Kimi was missing one rear wheel- and the other one hanging in the air.. yet he managed to accelerate?!!

Come on, this crap has got to stop- plz!

Look at his onboard, he is even trying to steer away from the track.

https://youtu.be/MTsD_PWY08U

[Restomaniac]

The worst is that unlike Rosberg who always seemed to have a 'born with a silver spoon in his mouth' attitude Vettel just comes across just a single minded if hot headed racing driver.
He isn't unlikable although sometimes he makes it hard for himself. I just think he needs to chill out at times.

I can see Vettel having no problems sharing a beer with another driver he doesn't seem big headed for a 4xWDC.

[ringo]

This thread is still alive?!

[Unc1eM0nty]

That's what I thought, I bet they can drag this out for another week or so.

[Edax]

Well, I will suggest we also look at the second collision between Kimi and Verstappen (and Alonso the Unlucky). It looked like Kimi did not try to stop (even accelerated a bit) until he took Verstappen out. Would anyone comment on that?

He was just sliding on the plank at that point, on a wet track he had no chance to stopping it. If you watch the onboard he had the thing on full lock trying to make turn 1, no revs so he wasn't applying the throttle. So thats that cock and ball theory out the window. NEXT.

I think I understand what he means. It does look like he accellerates just before hitting verstappen. But that is not actual accelleration, but Rai releasing the brakes. When drivers know they are going to crash they often take their weight of the pedals. This is to prevent injuries as the pedals are pushed into the cockpit.

Otherwise you can clearly see that the impact with Vettel had destroyed his steering rack. He was full lock and the wheels where still pointing straight. He was just a passenger.

[Jolle]

Well, I will suggest we also look at the second collision between Kimi and Verstappen (and Alonso the Unlucky). It looked like Kimi did not try to stop (even accelerated a bit) until he took Verstappen out. Would anyone comment on that?

He was just sliding on the plank at that point, on a wet track he had no chance to stopping it. If you watch the onboard he had the thing on full lock trying to make turn 1, no revs so he wasn't applying the throttle. So thats that cock and ball theory out the window. NEXT.

I think I understand what he means. It does look like he accellerates just before hitting verstappen. But that is not actual accelleration, but Rai releasing the brakes. When drivers know they are going to crash they often take their weight of the pedals. This is to prevent injuries as the pedals are pushed into the cockpit.

Otherwise you can clearly see that the impact with Vettel had destroyed his steering rack. He was full lock and the wheels where still pointing straight. He was just a passenger.

They weren’t in the braking zone yet... the sudden speed difference you see is Verstappen backing off because there isn’t enough space for his car in front of him.

[Edax]

He was just sliding on the plank at that point, on a wet track he had no chance to stopping it. If you watch the onboard he had the thing on full lock trying to make turn 1, no revs so he wasn't applying the throttle. So thats that cock and ball theory out the window. NEXT.

I think I understand what he means. It does look like he accellerates just before hitting verstappen. But that is not actual accelleration, but Rai releasing the brakes. When drivers know they are going to crash they often take their weight of the pedals. This is to prevent injuries as the pedals are pushed into the cockpit.

Otherwise you can clearly see that the impact with Vettel had destroyed his steering rack. He was full lock and the wheels where still pointing straight. He was just a passenger.

They weren’t in the braking zone yet... the sudden speed difference you see is Verstappen backing off because there isn’t enough space for his car in front of him.

This is about the second impact.