Should cars stuck in gravel be helped back on track?

[peterskelton]

If the car is in a dangerous position on the track then everything should be done to get the car back in the race if that is the easiest option regardless of who the driver is. As regards 1:48 doesn't look like Vettel to me!!

[N12ck]

Well in karting, when a kart comes off a marshall is not allowed to assist the driver get the kart on track, however can help move it out of harms way, but there are incident marshalls who can help the driver go back on track again, however they have to get the person nearest going first (so no unfair advantage) so I suppose it should be allowed in f1

[beelsebob]

Well in karting, when a kart comes off a marshall is not allowed to assist the driver get the kart on track, however can help move it out of harms way, but there are incident marshalls who can help the driver go back on track again, however they have to get the person nearest going first (so no unfair advantage) so I suppose it should be allowed in f1

The only examples of people being helped back on track that I can remember were in this exact situation – for example, 4 cars crashing at the same corner due to aqua planing, lewis kept his engine running and the fastest way to make the area safe was to dump him on the track and let him get out the way.

[N12ck]

i think them helping undamages cars should be allowed i have to say as a karter myself ther have been 1 or 2 races i have been restarted thanks to a incident marshalls help,

[bergzy]

I think with the new regs, a car can be stuck in the gravel, then driven out on controlled KERS power.
Never really saw getting stuck then being released as controversial as it doesn't put the competitors at any disadvantage.

Interesting new reg I never heard of. Can you find me a link to it? Driving out on Kers is very different, imo, than being completely craned back onto the track when stuck completely in gravel and smack dead next to a barrier. One is far from the track as possible.

Because Hamilton didn't shut his engine off, he has the privilege of being craned back onto the track? Because the stewards were so busy was the reason that he was craned back on? I'm sorry but these reasons sound like justifications to me. Where is the objectivity?

As for being stuck in gravel, imo, is a huge deal. If through driving error or even just via racing, because it is racing after all, and I end up in the gravel with an otherwise intact car. Too bad. I'm stuck in the gravel.

This happened to Hamilton again in China, right after Japan. Stupidly slid into the pit entrance gravel I think. Purely 100% his own fault as no one was around him. The stewards tried desperately to push him out but were unsuccessful. Guess what? Yes, he didn't finish the race and got zero points and his competitor got the points he would of if he didn't slide off the track had he finished in the points. So, being pushed back or craned back on the track doesn't affect his competitors? Really?