Plus I think if there were an obvious way like this to get out of the penalty McLaren would have appealed!

Any driver taking part in any practice session who, in the opinion of the stewards, stops unnecessarily on the circuit or unnecessarily impedes another driver shall be subject to the penalties referred to in article 31.6 [i.e. dropping the driver a certain number of grid positions].

Does the pit stop counts as “circuit”? Also, while the penalty was given to Alonso, he was just merely following the lollipop man indications, who, unless proven to be bribed by Alonso or something like that, just got it wrong.

I’ve not seen any of this discussed, just a point.

Besides which we are talking about professional racing drivers. Alonso and Hamilton could probably recite the FIA Sporting Regulations chapter and verse before they got anywhere near an F1 car. It’s their job.

Rather than keep addressing the doubts raised over Alonso and the rules in these comments I’m going to write a piece on it for tomorrow.

Alonso was punished with an unknown rule, Hamilton was not punished with a well known rule. All the drivers should to be punished with equal severity or equal flexibility. Maybe this season there is a new rule, “everybody will be punished except lewis hamilton”.

There is too much discretionality in the way FIA determines the application of the rules. It should be improved.

anyway, this was the weaker of the arguments, probably because it delved way too much into the political issue. but, nice job, ollie. i read your blog, too.

Kimi is simply brilliant, with a bit of bad luck in his direction sadly, although the red team are doing a good job lately – Needs a lot to go his way – but would be a good Champion

Hamilton is exceptional – since the beinining of F1 only Senna, Clarke , Moss, Fangio is in the same wow-league with Schummie close behind – For him to win will do our sport the world of good, as well as a deserved winner

Despite Alonso’s character flaws he has driven some excellent races this year, and been fundamentally fast at times, faster than Hamilton. Some people have claimed that he is an exciting driver to watch, but he’s too conservative in my opinion and has lost out in the first corner many times this season. I’m British so i’m naturally supporting Hamilton but in terms of skill I think Alonso is on par if not slightly ahead of Hamilton given his development and coming to grips with the car since the start of the season.

The event of Kimi winning the world championship is quite likely too, all it takes is a Ferrari 1-2 with Hamilton retiring. So anything could happen. Essentially, Alonso is four points away from winning the title, and Raikkonen is three points away from Alonso. It’s not much.

Any driver taking part in any practice session who, in the opinion of the stewards, stops unnecessarily on the circuit or unnecessarily impedes another driver shall be subject to the penalties referred to in article 31.6 [i.e. dropping the driver a certain number of grid positions].

Whether Hamilton could have done his lap on used tyres is irrelevant because he was perfectly within his rights to expect to be able to pit and take on fresh tyres without being impeded by Alonso.

What rule broke Alonso on hungaroring, as far as i Know, the box is the place where a driver has to be if he wants to stop his car and talk with his team in case he needed another tyres, even if he needs to blow his nose that´s THE place, Hamilton could run his lap with the tyres he got on, it´s not impossible, Alonso got used tyres and managed to pole. it was absolutely needed to change them? alonso showed a different thing if he preferred to stay behind alonso than go for a run with what he got at that moment is his fault.