Chinese GP 2010 - Shanghai

[Just_a_fan]

As far as I know there is no overtaking until the leader has crossed the line. You can pass before the line as long as the leader has crossed it. Lewis has possibly racked up his fourth unpunished rules infringement, Button has broken the 40.5 regulation about safety car regs according to Matchett on SpeedTV (same as Lewis did at Fuji awhile back), and Vettel has racked up an infraction for possibly passing before the leader hits start/finish though he didn't actually pass Lewis. As far as I'm concerned Vettel, Button and Lewis results are null and void unless duly penalized and before the races conclusion. Especially Lewis for riding down the pitlane over the blue line, which should be an immediate DQ in my eyes. All of these will go completely unpunished, or not receive a worthy punishment and that will keep people talking until the next race.


Funny that Alonso was called the cheat before the race and he's the only one that has actually gotten a punishment for breaking a rule.

This was discussed on BBC - apparently the rule was changed for this year; no racing until you pass the safety car line which is before the final corner. So the final corner fight was legal.

[Confused_Andy]

Great result for McLaren, good race.

[Miguel]

As far as I know there is no overtaking until the leader has crossed the line. You can pass before the line as long as the leader has crossed it. Lewis has possibly racked up his fourth unpunished rules infringement, Button has broken the 40.5 regulation about safety car regs according to Matchett on SpeedTV (same as Lewis did at Fuji awhile back), and Vettel has racked up an infraction for possibly passing before the leader hits start/finish though he didn't actually pass Lewis. As far as I'm concerned Vettel, Button and Lewis results are null and void unless duly penalized and before the races conclusion. Especially Lewis for riding down the pitlane over the blue line, which should be an immediate DQ in my eyes. All of these will go completely unpunished, or not receive a worthy punishment and that will keep people talking until the next race.


Funny that Alonso was called the cheat before the race and he's the only one that has actually gotten a punishment for breaking a rule.

This was discussed on BBC - apparently the rule was changed for this year; no racing until you pass the safety car line which is before the final corner. So the final corner fight was legal.

I fail to see how shunting into Mark Webber and throwing him off the track is legal.

[Just_a_fan]

I fail to see how shunting into Mark Webber and throwing him off the track is legal.

The fight was legal - the outcome may not be. Having said that, Vettel didn't allow Hamilton any room to avoid Webber. So perhaps Vettel is at fault. Or perhaps both. But also, trying to go around the last corner on the outside of two other cars isn't the most sensible move on Webber's part...

[Ray]

Yeah, Hamilton deserved a penalty, but no worries, I believe he'll get one at Spain.
Good drive from Alonso with 4 pit stops and a drive-through penalty and I have to compliment Rosberg and the two Renault drivers as well with a good drive today.

Too bad for the drivers and teams that the weather is not better in Shanghai as they will be stuck there for a bit longer due to the volcano fall-out.

He shouldn't have been allowed to continue this race after his stupid moves in the pitlane. When a driver puts his car in that position it is a safety issue. He should get a penalty for this race and Spain. That kind of driving should not be tolerated at all.

Good on Button. =D> I think he's done enough to prove that he can hang with Lewis in the same car and team. He's been driving great this season and good on him. Alonso again comes back from adversity and schools the field, and it's funny he was named a cheat before the race and he's the only one to pay immediately for his infraction. Even the infraction was extremely close, he almost got away with it too, just a few thousandths and he would have been golden. Shows yet again that he and Lewis are the only real racers in F1.

If Lewis keeps his unearned finish in 2nd place it'll be complete bullshit because of his four rule infractions, one being a major safety issue. His behavior is indefensible this race in any way and he'll probably get another slap on the wrist. Also the dangerous precedent of driving in the pit lane like he did will be set without a hugely stiff penalty. Good on Nico for him holding off one of the top three wet drivers that is Alonso. Massa did pretty good even after the hip check he got from Schuey, and Petrov drove a great race as well. Hearing what Hobbs had to say during the last 5 laps on Speed was pretty funny too. 'He's right behind you!'

[megz]

Hamilton's driving in the wet is amazing, His conduct however... that makes four penalisable infractions today... Missing pitlane entry then getting into it - Alonso was penalised for the same in Valencia last year. Cutting across the white line to pass Vettel into pits, driving over the blue line down pit lane. Running Webber off the road - which was later cleared up, his overtaking manouvre was legit but running Webber off the road is plain dangerous, if Webber held his groud Hamilton would have been done for causing an avoidable incident.... He should be black flagged, despite being the one creating much of the excitement.

Good win for Button, a well deserved win. Good effort from Alonso to be that far up after his jump start penalty and traffic. Rosberg kept his head down and got the job done, pity he fell off the circuit and let Button through who knows what might have been?

Good job from Renault, not particularly quick but they were faultless to bring Petrov and Kubica home in the points, so well done to them.

Wooden spoons to Schumi and Massa... what were they doing? Their team mates solidly outperformed them.

Driver of the Day: Button - no real mistakes for a win.
Star of the Day: The weather - once again, rain made for a great race
Moron of the Day: The stewards. Hamilton should have been beaten with multiple sharp sticks for his shenanigans.

[Ray]

I fail to see how shunting into Mark Webber and throwing him off the track is legal.

The fight was legal - the outcome may not be. Having said that, Vettel didn't allow Hamilton any room to avoid Webber. So perhaps Vettel is at fault. Or perhaps both. But also, trying to go around the last corner on the outside of two other cars isn't the most sensible move on Webber's part...

How can he try going around two other cars on the outside when he was ahead of them? Obviously you don't understand we are talking about Lewis trying to pass Webber before the line, or you didn't watch that part of the race. Maybe you need to go back and watch the replay of that incident.

[Principessa]

Massa was too busy complaining to his team about Alonso's move to do good in the second part of the race. He's such a slow ass...good move from Alonso, he didn't need to miss out on more points again by being stuck behind his slow team mate!!

[Terrible3]

So as it sits only LH will have the possibility of receiving a penalty. I am personally really surprised that not even a warning was given to JB after that questionable restart.

That being said I will give JB more credit than I have in the past. while I still feel LH is faster, JB proved today that his strategy calls are more than just blind luck. While one may be faster, it is the driver who makes the best calls that wins the race as proved my MS in the past. I never though JB would lead the WDC again, he is proving himself a formidable opponent.

[The Local Ride]

Fabulous race. Wonder what the stewards will do re the incidents?

Does no one think that Button causing the almost pile up was a bit dodgy?

If he gets away with it will every driver in the front after a SC not try the same?

[Ray]

Hamilton's driving in the wet is amazing, His conduct however... that makes four penalisable infractions today... Missing pitlane entry then getting into it - Alonso was penalised for the same in Valencia last year.

I think Alonso was fined for that. If I remember correctly Heidfled spun off the last corner and Alonso avoided him and decided to hit the pits. In a race the fine shouldn't be the penalty because Lewis avoided losing track position and possibly losing the car due to conditions by going in illegally, had he went around he most likely would have. A drive through should be in order for that infringement, and I still say a DQ is in order for him almost crashing in the pit lane trying to beat Vettle out and then riding over the line the rest of the way out. If he isn't penalized heavily and quickly then it sets a precedent that you might be able to get away with that in the future.

[Lorenzo_Bandini]

Lap 28: Replays show that Vettel was trying a move up the inside on Hamilton at the final corner as the field came round for the restart. Hamilton jinked slightly to his right to avoid contact and nerfed the other Red Bull belonging to Webber, sending the Australian off the road at the final corner.

[mx_tifoso]

...

Does no one think that Button causing the almost pile up was a bit dodgy?

If he gets away with it will every driver in the front after a SC not try the same?

Of course it will happen again, Hamilton did it before without a consequence and now Button has done it. It's not proper behavior that's for sure.

Stewards need to wake the hell up! I seriously can't believe how so much stuff went unnoticed.

[ringo]

As far as I know there is no overtaking until the leader has crossed the line. You can pass before the line as long as the leader has crossed it. Lewis has possibly racked up his fourth unpunished rules infringement, Button has broken the 40.5 regulation about safety car regs according to Matchett on SpeedTV (same as Lewis did at Fuji awhile back), and Vettel has racked up an infraction for possibly passing before the leader hits start/finish though he didn't actually pass Lewis. As far as I'm concerned Vettel, Button and Lewis results are null and void unless duly penalized and before the races conclusion. Especially Lewis for riding down the pitlane over the blue line, which should be an immediate DQ in my eyes. All of these will go completely unpunished, or not receive a worthy punishment and that will keep people talking until the next race.


Funny that Alonso was called the cheat before the race and he's the only one that has actually gotten a punishment for breaking a rule.

This was discussed on BBC - apparently the rule was changed for this year; no racing until you pass the safety car line which is before the final corner. So the final corner fight was legal.

I fail to see how shunting into Mark Webber and throwing him off the track is legal.

Vettel shunted Lewis who had to go against Webber, Hamilton had nowhere to go.
I think the real infringements are Petrov for weaving again. Massa for moving twice again; the safety car thing with Button.
Hamilton is clear of all charges, he and Vettel were released the same exact time; no fault of the lolipop man for trying to react quicker than redbull's . Hamilton waited beside him until he was released. Vettel gave no room; so I think that one will be overlooked.

[Just_a_fan]

I was thinking during the race, as Lewis and Michael had their brief tussle, that Lewis is similar to the young Michael. Lewis is hard in all of his driving just as Michael was. Lewis doesn't generally try to purposely drive in to other drivers yet but there is time...

I get the feeling that Lewis races hard and can't quite understand why other drivers don't - they all seem to want to "check with mother" before attempting any passes etc.

Anyway, I enjoyed the race - lots of incidents for the various factions to ying-yang with...