F1 Update on iSport F1 Pitstop: Much has been said and discussed about FIA’s late ruling on Fernando Alonso’s move on Robert Kubica. iSporter Maharshi Vaishnav shares his perspective.
The British GP saw Ferrari slip to newer depths of ignominy. I guess since the time Gilles Villeneuve and Carlos Reutemann drove their Ferraris to 12th and 18th respectively in the 1978 British GP, we have never seen Ferraris perform so dismally. Thanks to some pitiful driving and some dubious stewarding (again!!), Ferrari languished at 14th and 15th in a race where they could have seriously challenged for the podium.
I always thought the new Red Bull styled exhaust system and diffuser was going to work wonders coming into this weekend. It was quite surprising though that the team practiced with and without the F-Duct, and the lack of pace was evident. However, in qualifying, they included it and as a result of it, Alonso was brilliant throughout. Also Massa’s sudden slip up in Q3 was shocking.
I have seen it this year that whenever Massa is quick, either Ferrari is genuinely good or the competition is having a tough time. Apart from these, Alonso drives through his skin and manages some 4-5/10th over Massa. Massa is just not upto the levels of the front runners and his lack of form is seriously hurting Ferrari.
As far as the race is concerned, the lesser discussed about it the better. I never really thought both Alonso and Vettel would blame their clutches for their poor start. As a result of this, Alonso went way off the racing line and Hamilton, Rosberg and Kubica overtook him. I am sure anybody watching the race would have realized that Alonso’s chances of a podium finish were negated by then.
And if this wasn’t enough, Massa move on him through Maggots – Beckets was truly disparaging and overtly optimistic. He dived inside of Alonso and braked too late leading to heavy contact. This left him with a punctured tyre and a position right at the back of the formation.
Alonso was steadily making progress up the order and his dual with Kubica was pretty good for the audience. He had a great opportunity through Stowe with some deft out braking into Vale. Kubica probably was caught unawares and in desperation ran him out of the track forcing Alonso to take the run-off area.
My initial reaction was that Alonso should have lifted off the paddle and given his position back to Kubica. But then when I watched the replays over and over, I realized that he was any which ways ahead of Kubica going in and was forced to use the run-off otherwise there would have collided. It is always a better option to give the position back but knowing Alonso and his opening lap clutch glitch, he thought otherwise and persisted with his gain.
I have come to realize that if there is one sports governing body that just fails to learn from its mistakes, it is the FIA (although FIFA is quite close now). The stewards and the FIA once again botched up the penalty call. They took some 20 odd laps to decide in Valencia and they did it again at Silverstone.
Now just imagine a scenario where a football referee doesn’t award a spot kick or issues a card call immediately after a foul, or a third umpire in cricket take 10 overs before he announces his decision? Ridiculous as it may sound, we have been witnessing it for 2 consecutive races now.
The penalty decision came late and Alonso couldn’t serve it because the safety car was out. Call it bad luck or bad timing, Alonso rejoined at the rear end of the pack and Ferrari’s luck was sealed by then. A late spin for Massa and a puncture for Alonso meant they were creating a bit of unpleasant history.
Massa quite blatantly blamed Alonso for his puncture, Domenicali sounded pissed and Montezemolo was at his diplomatic best. No signs of revival here. It was only Alonso who tried his best to pep up the team. The transcript of his radio communication at the chequered flag is available now.
His rationale of Ferrari still having half the season to claim the Championships is logical but increasingly looking impractical. Unless Ferrari wins 2-3 races in a row with their second driver also amongst the points, it looks highly unlikely. For an ardent tifosi, the British GP was a forgettable affair. Hope the future races provide some glimmer of hope.
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a guest
said:
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... What a load of rubbish. This article does not deserve any more words wasted on it. |
a guest
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... Ferrari can't win the constructors championship with Massa driving for them. He is just a joke at the moment, and doesn't deserve a pity contract for next year. Alonso is only talking about himself winning, not the team. Where is the radio communication available? |
Kunal Shah
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... To be honest, Alonso and Ferrari were acting pig headed. I had no doubts in my mind that the place should have been given back to Kubica. It can be argued that the overtaking took place a few metres before entering the corner, but then Alonso had no reason to outbrake his own self and go off track! Some really poor driving and judgements from the Ferrari team. |
a guest
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... It was, to say the least, unwise of Ferrari not to concede the place back to Kubica given the steward of the day was 'our Nige.' That said, it is clear from the radio traffic that Ferrari were told the penalty, if any, would be applied after the race - and it wasn't. We urgently need a robust system of independent rule enforcement in F1. To be frank, the current system stinks and devalues the sport. As for the red team this year, and I speak as an ardent tifoso and 'Alonsista', we just have to stop making mistakes. Alonso is driving out of his skin and deserves his place. I have every sympathy for marvellous Felipe who does need to be cut some slack, but tough decisions will have to be taken unless he recovers form soon. |
Asif Khan
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... Alonso's move was no way justifiable, he was wrong and everyone apart from Ferrari team and its fans realised it straightaway. He should have given the place back and he would have finished in the top half, but he chose to try his luck and it turned out the other way. Ferrari should stop complaining and get on with it! |
a guest
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... Ferrari made (yet another) management error in not instructing alonso to immedaitely cede the place back to Kubica. Charlie and his pack of old geezers made (yet another) delayed and confused decision. Ferrari need a new man at the helm, and so does race management. |
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