Should Hamilton have been blackflagged or DQ'd?

**keysersoze** · 29th March 2011, 04:01

Is there not a rule which stipulates that if a car has pieces which have become loose or dislodged (and could potentially become projectiles) should come to the pits for repairs?

I know Rubens' Brawn lost a spring rather suddenly, but Felipe Massa paid the price for the part that came off of RB's car at speed.

**MrJan** · 29th March 2011, 09:21

Originally Posted by keysersoze

Is there not a rule which stipulates that if a car has pieces which have become loose or dislodged (and could potentially become projectiles) should come to the pits for repairs?

I know Rubens' Brawn lost a spring rather suddenly, but Felipe Massa paid the price for the part that came off of RB's car at speed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...de/default.stm

Black flag with an orange centre is usually used if drivers have something hanging off. Not so common in F1 (if a driver has a wing hanging around then it's generally in their interest to get rid of it anyway) but you sometimes see them thrown in touring car races and other national motorsports.

**AndyL** · 29th March 2011, 12:25

Originally Posted by Shifter

I don't recall the flexi-floors controversy with great detail, but I could see how, if the leading edge flexed upward it would create more clearance, thus the front suspension could be set softer...with speed and aero load, floor flexes up, aero load increases and presses down on the whole front of the car, lowering CG and giving the front wing more ground-level air.

Yes that's how I understand it too. Effectively lowering the front ride height below the minimum that's supposed to be enforced by the combination of the plank and a flat floor.

**markabilly** · 29th March 2011, 16:17

Originally Posted by keysersoze

Is there not a rule which stipulates that if a car has pieces which have become loose or dislodged (and could potentially become projectiles) should come to the pits for repairs?

I know Rubens' Brawn lost a spring rather suddenly, but Felipe Massa paid the price for the part that came off of RB's car at speed.

good point.

ignored by many here and at fia as they are too busy trying to dq sauber over millimeters and keep out those slow hispainas to be worrying over things coming off and hurting somebody,

**MrJan** · 29th March 2011, 16:23

Originally Posted by markabilly

good point.

ignored by many here and at fia as they are too busy trying to dq sauber over millimeters and keep out those slow hispainas to be worrying over things coming off and hurting somebody,

Perhaps, and I'm going out on a limb here, the stewards saw the problem and decided (because they're experts and all) that it didn't actually pose a risk. You know, they used their knowledge of the sport and how the cars are built to assess the situation.

Actually now I mention it that just seems stupid, it's far more likely that some bloke who watches it on the telly would make a far more informed decision.

**markabilly** · 29th March 2011, 16:33

Originally Posted by barryfullalove

Perhaps, and I'm going out on a limb here, the stewards saw the problem and decided (because they're experts and all) that it didn't actually pose a risk. You know, they used their knowledge of the sport and how the cars are built to assess the situation.

Actually now I mention it that just seems stupid, it's far more likely that some bloke who watches it on the telly would make a far more informed decision.

What!!! How dare you imply that David Hobbes and crew are not experts!!!

Heck, as whitemarish said, he was not watching the race on telly and had no idea about Button, and no doubt even less about Hamilton

Defend and excuse it all you wish, but it remains clear that the priorities of the FIA are anal millimeters as in 5 on the radius, but none over stauff that might actually hurt someone, such that they did not even give it a looksee during the race....