These days the focus seems to have shifted from racing to actually winning law suits and appeals in Formula 1. The outcome of the race is many a times decided by a ruling of the stewards or judges. And this is happening more and more often recently. What used to be one-off differences which needed to be settled off the race track, has now become a regular feature. You can hardly be surprised if you wake up the next day to find out that the guy who was happily spraying champagne from the podium on sunday has been demoted to the 12th position, and everybody else has moved up one place.
As if the start hadn’t been turbulent enough, what with the approaching 14th April date to debate the validity of the design of diffuser by the three teams, we had another row in the opening race of the season. Yeah, Melbourne GP was not spared by anyone. First the official complaint by Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault over the legality of the diffuser design, and then that of Hamilton-Trulli incident.
The incidence was this. With just three laps to the completion of the race, Safety Car had to be deployed courtsey the collision of Kubica’s and Vettel’s cars. Apparently, Trulli spun and Hamilton passed him while the safety car was present on the track. But according to the rules book, this action was certainly legal. However, what transpired next is that Trulli overtook Hamilton and reclaimed his position. Thus at the end of the day, Trulli finished third, ahead of Hamilton in the fourth place.
The stewards immediately summoned the duo to clear the matter. A decision was taken to impose a penalty of 25 secs on Trulli for overtaking another car while the safety car was there. Hamilton got promoted to the third place. There were talks of Toyota appealing against the penalty. Trulli explained that he overtook the McLaren only because he believed the latter to be slowing down, which could mean a retirement from the race. In such circumstances, Trulli’s move would be valid.
However, that was soon ruled out. Recently, the FIA has been very stern when it comes to appealing for a 25 secs penalty, which is equivalent to a drive through penalty. A drive through penalty can be issued only when the race is going on. If the race is completed, a 25 secs penalty is imposed to determine the standings. Now since drive through penalty cannot be challenged by teams, it is almost impossible to get your say in a 25 secs penalty too.
So, as things stood, till yesterday, Trulli was out of luck and Hamilton collected 6 from a race where he barely was quick enough. It was time to move on to the next race, Sepang Grand Prix.
But a well known journalist from autosport.com composed an article which revealed that Hamilton might have perhaps given differing statements to press and the stewards. Apparently, Hamilton did let it known that he had been asked by the McLaren team to slow down and let Trulli pass, thereby confirming that Trulli passed him only because he saw Hamilton deliberately slowing down. The drivers were once agained asked to meet the stewards in Malaysia on the thursday.
The outcome of the meeting is that Trulli has been reinstated to his 3rd position and McLaren have been removed from the results for providing contradictory evidence to the stewards the first time. Hamilton, as iot now turns out, wasn’t so lucky after all. Trulli gets 6 points and Hamilton goes back empty handed.
The start of the season couldn’t have been more un-typical. Neither of McLaren and Ferrari scored any point from the opening race. Both are trying to get even with the BrawnGP’s pace. Exciting season, with lots of drama yet to follow. And I suggest you, if you do not already follow F1, then start doing so. If you need help selecting one driver as your favourite, might I suggest the brilliant young lad from Germany – Sebastian Vettel. He is awesome. I am sure he’ll one day race for the Ferrari and do wonders just as Michael Schumacher did. Watch out for this kid.
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