Official F1/Motorsport thread

[bingo83]

I thought the Marshalls could hear all the teams radio chatter, so why are they saying that McLaren failed to provide evidence?

[Redoilcan]

The diffuser thing has pretty much wrecked the season for me.

When you've a set of cars getting a huge, unfair advantage like that, going against the spirit of the rules it just makes it farcical and cements my feeling that the difference in driving skill between drivers is of little importance compared to the cars.

You should stop watching F1 and start watching A1 GP then.
The FIA have decided that the diffuser is not an issue, that doesn't make it an unfair advantage, what it does say is that each team reads the rules differently. The teams with the higher budgets f*cked up, that's their fault and upto them to get it sorted asap. I think its good for the sport to have some other teams in the limelight instead of the teams with the most money as per usual.

[toythatkills]

... the difference in driving skill between drivers is of little importance compared to the cars.

What about Hamilton fighting from 18th to third not only without a diffuser, but also in a dog of a car? Gots to be some skill involved there.

[abigsmurf]

He has a car vastly superior car to most of the ones without the diffuser which are the ones he mostly overtook and he cheated to jump from 4th to 3rd.

You should stop watching F1 and start watching A1 GP then.

Strongly considering not watching it at all, it's a complete farce at the moment. It's becoming a battle of the lawyers to see what they can get away with and what they can penalise other teams for.

[toythatkills]

He has a car vastly superior car to most of the ones without the diffuser which are the ones he mostly overtook and he cheated to jump from 4th to 3rd.

I'd be here all night pointing out everything that's wrong with that

[Shez]

I did wonder why Trulli was so adamant that he had done nothing wrong, the guy was absoultely distraught with his penalty.

Naughty naughty Mclaren, caught on the hop again with what many would consider cheating.

[Bort]

Toyota team radio - http://allenonf1.wordpress.com/2009/...with-hamilton/

McLaren team radio (text link to mp3 at bottom of main text, transcript as well) - http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre..._decision.aspx

[sharky_ob]

Toyota team radio - http://allenonf1.wordpress.com/2009/...with-hamilton/

McLaren team radio (text link to mp3 at bottom of main text, transcript as well) - http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre..._decision.aspx

That really is very silly, there was no need for this especially over 1 point! Can't believe that Hamilton and McLaren lied about the order to let Trulli pass, how did they ever think they'd get away with it?

[MJ]

Why would McLaren try and do something dodgy to gain a point or two when they had secured 4th from a not very hopeful weekend, and surely they knew the consequences if they did do this and were found out.

[Roddie]

So there isn't really any 'new evidence' then? It's just as everyone thought it was: Trulli went off the track so Hamilton had to pass him but because it happened while the Safety Car was out, McLaren didn't know whether they were allowed to keep the position, so Hamilton let Trulli past.

If they FiA rules weren't so convoluted and random and McLaren were able to radio someone to find out wether they need to yield the position, then none of this would have happened. Hamilton was forced to let Trulli past because of the risk of a penalty had he NOT done so.

[Shez]

The key issue is simple:

Hamilton said he was NOT told to allow Trulli past and Mclaren confirmed this - This was in the interview with stewards 1 hour after the race.

Then after a more detailed investigation, the radio stuff was brought to light which proved the exact opposite.

Mclaren don't have an issue with it (because they are guilty) so I don't see how anyone else can to be honest.

[ChrisF]

I'm sure I just heard on the radio that Hamilton is being fined for speeding in the pit lane of the Malaysian practice?!?

[Number45]

There's a live stream up on the BBC website, haven't heard them mention it yet, but I've only just switched it on.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7979833.stm

[Paulos G]

I'm just watching that as well. Been reading the written commentary too and there's no mention of it in there.

[PeteJ]

It's just been played on the radio - got a fine for speeding in first practice. One of the top guys at the team (forget his name) has quit in protest.

As for the events yesterday - yet again the season is being ruined by the very people who should be saving it. It's a joke!

edit - and it gets worse! The FIA are still investigating Lewis and "are not ruling out further action".

As Hamilton has been excluded from the race at Melbourne's Albert Park, should motor sport's world governing body take up the case, only two additional punishments are open to them.

One would be to suspend Hamilton from a further race or races, or alternatively they could disqualify him from the Championship altogether.

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5136496,00.html