Fair to say Vettel isn’t a fan of MV, I think post the swerving behaviours at Spa, and (I think) the FIA have openly stated they want to avoid a repetition of the Hill/Schuey and Prost/Senna days, where the championship was decided by highly questionable driving incidents - although the penalty framework doesn’t appear to have been updated to address this potential outcome, as points on a licence and race penalties don’t/won’t compensate for a bout of dodgems on the track. Hamilton isn’t an angel in this regard vis his dicing with Nico but he’s matured and, unarguably, given way/taken avoiding action several times this year.
And (IIRC) F1 is now majority owned by American PE and American sport overall isn’t tolerant of cheating and unfair play - the penalties tend to be severe and their elite sports constructs are devised to ensure fair competition (salary caps/draft picks et al).
While the events of 2021 have generated a lot of media attention, it has demonstrated administrational amateurism within the FIA IMV and an inability to effectively manage ‘driving standards’ by some and police the racing fairly.
Probably bordering on conspiracy theories but one can’t help thinking a lot of yesterday was been controlled and managed and maybe even staged for commercial reasons, the potential loss of revenues across the industry, particularly in advertising, if the championship was decided yesterday would be massive, much better to create lots of hype and controversy and have the outcome decided in the final race.
Its always been that way, its just more obvious now. Who pays the piper calls the tune. I worry that this has been given a whole new dimension now that ‘mericans own the series. My conspiracy theory wonders if the sponsorship opportunities are being held back in the USA with that particular world champion continuing in place and his obvious support of various minorities.
I think it’s more the case that the ‘let them race’ tag-line acknowledged by the FIA (which cuts across other racing behaviour governance), has been picked-up by RBR and employed as a trump card to the effect ‘nobody is allowed to pass Max’ as @TimOopNorth has flagged in his post.
…and Masi’s performance in not admonishing MV here and in Brazil suggests some weakness in governance and control (IMV).
As a Verstappen fan, who more often sees the pro Max comments, this thread brings balance.
A question though: If Verstappen did not drive the way he did, would this season have been at the level it is?
He’s a young driver fighting a giant. Lots to learn in experience no doubt, but I am going to hazard a prediction: When the dust has settled on both sides, the things both sides are most upset about now will have contributed to this season being one of the greats that will always be remembered.
And the best part is: no matter which it swings next week, history will be made in front of our eyes.
I think the problem is not his obvious hunger or even his driving skill, it’s his willingness to risk others to gain the advantage. It doesn’t matter what excuses or technical explanations he offers for his conduct, the rules he is constantly testing or breaking are rules introduced for safety. He constantly adds risk to an already dangerous sport. It has to be stopped, that isn’t racing, its demolition derby.
Only a broken drive shaft stopped Lewis having MV rear wheel taking his head off when it got past Halo, now that was really lucky. Lewis had the wheel on his head.
No Lewis fan boy here but MV is behaving like the rules don’t apply to him, and the authorities are feeding that view.
If asked to do that, I think he’d refuse (I certainly hope so).
I believe the same can be said of Bottas (and Wolf wouldn’t tolerate anyone in the team suggesting it; I still have some hope that would also apply to Horner).
I agree with most here. IMO Verstappen fights dirty. I am going to take the corner so you have two choices crash or run wide. Lewis and everyone else knows that so majority of time they have to let him through no ifs or buts. Schumacher was the same bashing into Villeneuve and was it Damon Hill hence why I didn’t like him ditto Max. Witness Danny Ric hard but fair overtaking late brake up the inside how it should be. Remember he left Red Bull because of Max. As discussed all MV has to do is to take them both out to win the championship ala Senna Prost. I don’t think anyone wants that. If it did his stock would go down massively and it would be a poor anti climax to a great season. I do think the FIA need to tighten things up re safety cars and red flags when Max got a free tyre change. Perhaps best to have park ferme rules during any of the above I.e no pit stops or tyre changes allowed to level the playing field
I dunno, I think it is overly highlighted by being in the battle for the title and by the endless vitriol en demonising the two team bosses are spouting at each other and the drivers.
Yesterday Leclerc whacked Perez off the track. A quick message of “Meh, he must not have seen me there, YOLO” and nothing further.
Kimi got Alonso, Stroll got Vettel.
The Haas team is constantly causing far more danger than anyone else and nothing there either.
If it is an argument about safety all of these actions should be equally policed and punished.
The question is. How many drivers drove off track at that corner during an overtaking attempt, plus during the entire Brazilian grand prix how many driver went off track during an overtaking attempt.
If the FIA penalised drivers every time it happened, half the grid would end up with a penalty.
I remember from my (very short) racing career (one race at Brands Hatch and one at Oulton Park both in 2000 in a Caterham) that the clerks of the course were insistent that all racing took place within the bounds of the track. Which was marked by a solid white line (though sometimes in F1 that is blurred by kerbs). All four wheels outside the white line and you aren’t on the track. Non-negotiable.
The rules this year have been applied so inconsistently at different tracks (and even at the same track) it isn’t clear any more what is the track and what isn’t - and our perception of that can depend on which driver we favour
This is exactly what I am feeling. I have no previous career in racing, though LOL.
Where was it exactly again where it was something like “Yeah you can be over the white line as long as you are inside the blue area” or something like that.
If this was clearly defined and enforced across the board instead there would be less room for discussion and demonizing the driver you don’t support.
Buuuuuuuut then there would be less controversies and we all know controversies and politics and lots of shouting make for more views and tickets sold…
It was only two races - and a few sprints and hill climbs. Didn’t enjoy racing - if someone else wanted the corner they could have it as far as I was concerned
