Comments on: Sutil and Raikkonen go unpunished after another clash costs Force India a point

By: Gman

Gman — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:48:25 +0000

Gotta think Mallya, Suitl, and company will throw a mega-bash for Kimi if he really dose retire this year

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:11:49 +0000

Actually they had already decided that it would be investigated afterwards before Raikkonen retired, it came up on the graphic straight away. Strange how many incidents involving Ferraris are investigated only after the race, when all others are applied during it. This happened a lot last year as well.

By: Eamon

Eamon — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:20:59 +0000

I fail to see how Raikkonen could be held responsible for this incident. He was on the outside, all the way to the edge of the circuit and had his nose slightly ahead (otherwise his wheel couldn’t have hit Sutil’s front wing). He didn’t move abruptly; he simply held his line and they came together.

If Kimi had just lifted off and let Sutil have the spot, then people would’ve accused him of going to sleep, or drinking too much vodka or something.

I think any penalty for either driver would’ve been thoroughly undeserved. They’re racing, after all. But it’s a shame that Sutil missed out again.

By: andrew

andrew — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:17:33 +0000

Bigbadderboom said it best. F1 wants exciting driving and passing but the slightest thing is always punished making drivers tentative. I would have gone crazy if they gave Raikkonen a ten grid penalty for that. Can you imagine getting a similar punishment Hamilton got for plowing into Raikkonen at Montreal in a speed controlled pitlane?

I think the main thing all these journalists keep forgetting about Raikkonen costing Sutil again is the fact Sutil overtoke three cars illegally under caution in Monaco and would have been given a 25 second penalty anyway giving him zero points last year. Therefore, he should have not even been there for Raikkonen to take out in the first place.

By: just me

just me — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:46:39 +0000

…do not the sporting regs say that at that time in the race (i.e. not near the end), the decision should have been made during??

That would require them to actually work during the race.

Their statement

The stewards received a report from the race director which stated that an incident involving car number four – Kimi Räikkönen – and car number 20 – Adrian Sutil – took place during the race.

paints the picture, that they aren’t even watching the race! They are just sitting there, twiddling their thumbs till the race director sends them some report.
Then they say, “Oh schucks – not again another report!”, drop their beers and watch some replays. Then they call Luca and ask him what to do …

By: just me

just me — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:32:04 +0000

My sentiment too. I’m slowly turning from a STR underdog fan to a Force India underdog fan – they showed true class on several levels during the last few races .

As much as Sutil is continuing to impress me, I can’t get anything from Fisi’s driving.
Maybe his spot should be given to another ‘likely-free’ senior driver next year (e.g. Rubens)?

By: Patrickl

Patrickl — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:52:03 +0000

Bourdais got a drive through penalty for the same thing that Sutil did.

Sutil later stated that he intentionally blocked Raikkonen (ie ran him off the road)

By: Dileep

Dileep — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:50:54 +0000

that's called racing, u know! both drivers wanted the position, they fought for it into the corner, and paid the price. Sutil was just unfortunate again. Check out more here

By: Patrickl

Patrickl — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:46:12 +0000

Yes, like in Fuji 2008 where they penalised Bourdais for a collision with Massa after Bourdais came out of the pits.

Sutil should probably have been punished here, but I guess they felt sorry for him and he was punished already by his wing coming off.

By: persempre

persempre — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:56:40 +0000

So much depends on the actual rules.
The Sporting Code was changed on 2 July (yes, again, did anyone know?)
Sometimes F1 has exceptions but, as far as I can tell the new rules apply across the board. If someone spots this isn`t F1 relevant then please let me know because I’m presuming it is
See page 16 of 18. Article 2. Overtaking.