The Official 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**
Discussion
parabolica said:
I get the impression the FIA might be focussing on Seb's conduct after the race (i.e. denying all wrong-doing/not acknowledging what he did) and whether that brings him/the sport into disrepute, rather than tacking on any more penalties to the actual incident. I don't anything will come of it apart from maybe a fine (like they did with Max) and a demand for a formal apology. Either that or a final warning for conduct.
I don't condone what he did, but I agree with JB etc that what is done is done and everyone needs to move on; so no further action at all would be fine with me.
I thought he already had a final warning after swearing about Whiting.I don't condone what he did, but I agree with JB etc that what is done is done and everyone needs to move on; so no further action at all would be fine with me.
I don't think his reaction to a simple penalty for his conduct should go unpunished but we must be careful what we wish for. Whilst his post race conduct, implicitly criticising the stewards, is a repetition of his previous conduct, although without the obscene language, and is serious in the eyes of the FIA, However, if a penalty puts him out of contention with Hamilton, who is up for the challenge?
Verstappen? No chance. Raik? No, not really. Ricciardo? Hardly. Bottas? Never. Or, er, Verstappen? Oh wait, I've mentioned him.
It's not that difficult a decision for the FIA. A penalty that reflects the seriousness of attacking the stewards in the press is required. It doesn't have to have any affect on the points, at least at this stage.
Let's see now. How many points did Vettel score at the Baku GP? =12
And how many points separate Hamilton and Vettel in the WDC? = 14.
Not hard to see what's likely to happen IF, and its a big IF, Vettel accepts responsibility and apologises.
I don't necessarily think that would be an appropriate outcome but I suspect it will be to have his points docked for Baku, a fine and some work for road safety campaign.
And how many points separate Hamilton and Vettel in the WDC? = 14.
Not hard to see what's likely to happen IF, and its a big IF, Vettel accepts responsibility and apologises.
I don't necessarily think that would be an appropriate outcome but I suspect it will be to have his points docked for Baku, a fine and some work for road safety campaign.
kambites said:
You may be right; it'd certainly give the conspiracy theorists a field day if Hamilton ended up winning the championship by less than the points they docked. 
Yes it would!I've always liked Vettel, passionate and wears his heart on his sleeve (I don't really like plastic sportsmen/women that are too nice) but he's gone too far for me this time, I just wish he'd come out and manned up about the situation, apologised and we could all move on.
Derek Smith said:
It's not that difficult a decision for the FIA. A penalty that reflects the seriousness of attacking the stewards in the press is required. It doesn't have to have any affect on the points, at least at this stage.
If it's not points what do you suggest? Saying there should be no impact on points would be like saying if you had beat someone up on duty or something (i.e. completely break the rules of your profession) then you should maybe get a £200 fine and a few hours of community service. Unless it's a massive fine it won't impact him financially, and a few hours community service is boring but who cares. Only points will make a difference, the rest is just a bit of noise.NRS said:
Derek Smith said:
It's not that difficult a decision for the FIA. A penalty that reflects the seriousness of attacking the stewards in the press is required. It doesn't have to have any affect on the points, at least at this stage.
If it's not points what do you suggest? Saying there should be no impact on points would be like saying if you had beat someone up on duty or something (i.e. completely break the rules of your profession) then you should maybe get a £200 fine and a few hours of community service. Unless it's a massive fine it won't impact him financially, and a few hours community service is boring but who cares. Only points will make a difference, the rest is just a bit of noise.I would point out that I got punched in the eye, the only time in 30 years, the majority of which was on response, and the bloke got fined £150. After appeal, but still.
There was no reason to give Vettel a penalty during the race except that media and fans always moan when the stewards interfere with the result after the race (particularly when it involves the winner or podium finisher) so they were under pressure to do something quickly. We don't know how long they considered it and whether Hamilton's headrest issues ramped up the pressure to act quickly but having punished Vettel once, too lightly, they now cannot win - a further penalty is an implicit criticism of the stewards, to let him off sends the wrong message to fans.
As is stands, the way the penalty points work, Vettel has a ban suspended for one or two races - under the current rules do the FIA have the power to increase the suspension period to maybe 5 races - this seems like a reasonable sanction to me.
+Actually, I've changed my mind - Lewis' car could've failed at 200mph - Vettel should get further penalty.
As is stands, the way the penalty points work, Vettel has a ban suspended for one or two races - under the current rules do the FIA have the power to increase the suspension period to maybe 5 races - this seems like a reasonable sanction to me.
+Actually, I've changed my mind - Lewis' car could've failed at 200mph - Vettel should get further penalty.
Edited by Mr_Thyroid on Friday 30th June 21:14
Mr_Thyroid said:
There was no reason to give Vettel a penalty during the race except that media and fans always moan when the stewards interfere with the result after the race (particularly when it involves the winner or podium finisher) so they were under pressure to do something quickly. We don't know how long they considered it and whether Hamilton's headrest issues ramped up the pressure to act quickly but having punished Vettel once, too lightly, they now cannot win - a further penalty is an implicit criticism of the stewards, to let him off sends the wrong message to fans.
As is stands, the way the penalty points work, Vettel has a ban suspended for one or two races - under the current rules do the FIA have the power to increase the suspension period to maybe 5 races - this seems like a reasonable sanction to me.
I'm not pushing for a further penalty, at least not one that affects the points, but I don't think an increase in punishment would be a criticism of the stewards. All they have to suggest is that it is for the post incident refusal to accept blame, or attacking the stewards' decision, that sort of thing. The FIA, at least under their previous head, had lots of experience with spin.As is stands, the way the penalty points work, Vettel has a ban suspended for one or two races - under the current rules do the FIA have the power to increase the suspension period to maybe 5 races - this seems like a reasonable sanction to me.
Mr_Thyroid said:
+Actually, I've changed my mind - Lewis' car could've failed at 200mph - Vettel should get further penalty.
That's a point the FIA might consider, or perhaps might be put to them. It's a good one as well I think, given how tender the cars are to sideways impact. One thing which has occurred to me is a points penalty. If Vettel's points are removed but with his position remaining in the official records, ostensibly to allow Ferrari, blameless in this, to keep their points, it will mean that he and Hamilton will be joint first in the table. That might have an appeal to the FIA. It will keep interest alive.
I'm not supporting it, just looking at it from a regulator's point of view.
Derek Smith said:
Mr_Thyroid said:
+Actually, I've changed my mind - Lewis' car could've failed at 200mph - Vettel should get further penalty.
That's a point the FIA might consider, or perhaps might be put to them. It's a good one as well I think, given how tender the cars are to sideways impact. One thing which has occurred to me is a points penalty. If Vettel's points are removed but with his position remaining in the official records, ostensibly to allow Ferrari, blameless in this, to keep their points, it will mean that he and Hamilton will be joint first in the table. That might have an appeal to the FIA. It will keep interest alive.
I'm not supporting it, just looking at it from a regulator's point of view.
F1 is full of stupid rules as it is. For instance, if Vettel had damaged LH's gearbox, LH would have had a 5 place grid penalty in the next GP and SB would have had a 10 second stop-and-go. Hardly justice.
pingu393 said:
Is it allowable within the rules for a driver to lose points, but for the team to keep them? I'm not sure that it is, much though I would like it to be. It would allow for team mistakes not to punish a driver and vice versa.
F1 is full of stupid rules as it is. For instance, if Vettel had damaged LH's gearbox, LH would have had a 5 place grid penalty in the next GP and SB would have had a 10 second stop-and-go. Hardly justice.
It has happened he other way around: the team losing points but not the driver.F1 is full of stupid rules as it is. For instance, if Vettel had damaged LH's gearbox, LH would have had a 5 place grid penalty in the next GP and SB would have had a 10 second stop-and-go. Hardly justice.
Derek Smith said:
pingu393 said:
Is it allowable within the rules for a driver to lose points, but for the team to keep them? I'm not sure that it is, much though I would like it to be. It would allow for team mistakes not to punish a driver and vice versa.
F1 is full of stupid rules as it is. For instance, if Vettel had damaged LH's gearbox, LH would have had a 5 place grid penalty in the next GP and SB would have had a 10 second stop-and-go. Hardly justice.
It has happened he other way around: the team losing points but not the driver.F1 is full of stupid rules as it is. For instance, if Vettel had damaged LH's gearbox, LH would have had a 5 place grid penalty in the next GP and SB would have had a 10 second stop-and-go. Hardly justice.
Pickled said:
pingu393 said:
Has it? When?
McLaren after the spygate scandalWhat's the chances?
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