#sporting regulations

[thepotentialof2007]

It was all a misunderstanding

[thepotentialof2007]

The use of the word “tarnish” in relation to the word “argument” seems like an attempt by the FIA to frame anyone continuing to discuss this, as well as Mercedes continuing their appeal, as akin to bringing the sport into disrepute, i.e., it is a threat:

FIA’s statement post Abu Dhabi 2021: the related communications between the FIA race direction team and the Formula 1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans, an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the championship 

F1 2021 sporting regs: If in the opinion of the F1 Commission a Competitor fails to operate his team in a manner compatible with the standards of the Championship or in any way brings the Championship into disrepute, the FIA may exclude such Competitor from the Championship forthwith

[thepotentialof2007]

Sky F1: Michael Masi, the race director, did go public in saying it’s possible points could be deducted if something badly goes wrong at the end of the grand prix. We've seen previous championships decided on incidents which we don't want to see this time.

Lewis: Yup.

Sky F1: Are you glad that he made that point. Do you hope the stewards will be strong? Have you had evidence recently that they're taking more of a grip on things?

Lewis:  Honestly I think it's such a hard job that the stewards have and Michael has, and I think they've done an amazing job given everything that's thrown at them. And every different scenario's always different.  Whether you agree with every decision or not, I think they have such a tough job.

I think it's great that it's clear to everyone, not only like secretly in the background in our books as competitors but, it's clear that everyone knows what the rules are and so that things that have happened in the past are avoided.

Lewis answering questions from Sky F1 reporter Craig Slater in the Thursday Media Pen, Abu Dhabi 2021

[thepotentialof2007]

December 5, 2021 [x]

Verstappen, who was given a five-second time penalty and a point on his licence for leaving the track and gaining an advantage at one stage, also criticised the application of the rules during today’s race. The Red Bull driver believes both drivers broke the rules by running wide.

“I find it interesting that I am the one who gets a penalty when both of us run outside of the white lines,” he said.

“In Brazil it was fine and now suddenly I get a penalty for it. Well, you could clearly see both didn’t make the corner.”

November 23, 2021 [x]

Verstappen gave the impression of productive session. He said the meeting was “all about sharing their opinions, and then the FIA explaining their process of thought behind it.” The Red Bull driver felt “we came a long way, it was a very long briefing, I think at the end it was pretty clear.”

Hamilton flatly contradicted Verstappen’s claim, and indicated their rivals felt the discussion failed to clarify a decision which contradicted past precedents, creating confusion over what is deemed fair racing. “No, it’s not clear,” Hamilton insisted. “Every driver, except for Max, was asking just for clarity. Most drivers were asking for clarity, but it wasn’t very clear.

“It’s still not clear what the limits of the track are. It’s clearly not the white line anymore, when overtaking. But we just go for it. We just ask for consistency.”

But many of their rivals were quite happy to air their views on the discussion. Several of them shared Hamilton’s view that the meeting had failed to clarify an important area of the regulations.

[thepotentialof2007]

“The Verstappen Amendment” reared it’s ugly head again. What is TVA you ask? Easy. It’s Austria 2019, where Verstappen ran Leclerc four wheels off the track. The stewards sat down for 2 hours and eventually, gave Max the win. Ever since then, I refer to a difficult on-track call, to that amendment. Because now, I genuinely don’t know what warrants punishment is anymore. I’m pretty sure Max made the corner, and then opened up the steering once he hit the apex, running Lewis off to ensure any overtake would be illegal, but I don’t know what a penalty is anymore. The way it’s been handled, once you have that apex, sod whatever happens next. This sport is too human and its rules too vague to compare on-track incidents. I’ve come to accept this, and eventually you will too. Please like my dumb sport.

- Dre Harrison from “Dre Unflitered: Brazil” [x]