Discussion
I was pretty shocked by the length of time it appeared to take to get the medical team to him. It must have been very distressing for the drivers, and naturally especially so for Michael, to keep having to drive past the scene. In those situations I often wondered if red flagging is a better idea though having talked to some racers when I studied safety on that subject many prefer to keep 'ticking' over rather than adding up-down-up stress that comes with a new start.
Watching Ralf sat there with no one coming to help him made me think of the stories of F1 fatalities because no one came in time when otherwise they might have survived.
I thought those days were over. The marshalling was a disgrace. Should have been a red flag. Hope Ralph's ok.
It may have been the carbon fibre that caused the accidents, but its also the carbon fibre that saves lives when the brown sticky stuff hits the fan.
I bet the yanks enjoyed this little destruction derby!
I thought those days were over. The marshalling was a disgrace. Should have been a red flag. Hope Ralph's ok.
foster3jd said:
Is it me?... or F1 is turning into complete farce with all these tyre failures/punctures?!
Is there too much carbon fibre in use?
And what's the story with the marshalls and safety crew?... How slow?!!!!!!
It may have been the carbon fibre that caused the accidents, but its also the carbon fibre that saves lives when the brown sticky stuff hits the fan.
I bet the yanks enjoyed this little destruction derby!
At least they won't make him go to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. He bitched and moaned about having to attend this event a couple of years ago.
It did seem like an age before they got to him but maybe they could see that he was acknowledging messages from the Williams pit. The safety of the marshalls is also important and that bit of track would be extremely hazardous to have people wandering about on with cars still circulating. Too early to criticise just yet, I think.
It did seem like an age before they got to him but maybe they could see that he was acknowledging messages from the Williams pit. The safety of the marshalls is also important and that bit of track would be extremely hazardous to have people wandering about on with cars still circulating. Too early to criticise just yet, I think.
Mikey G said:
Mickey Schu does it again 
Ralf sounds serious though, could be in hospital for a few days
And WTF was that all about with Montoya? took them a long time to decide he shouldnt be racing
I'll stick to WRC i think....... when i can watch it
And what about that move by penis--sorry Panis when Sato took him: WTF was that all about????
Of course Rubino should have known that his place as Second team member was bound to be inforced by the man and the Team again..
MoJo.
I would like to congratulate BAR-Honda and Takuma Sato on their first race win.
Why?
Well after Monaco when cars benefitted from a free pit-stop during the race when the saftey car was deployed the FIA with immediate effect put a stop to this practice.
I also read this at the time on Autosport. But didn't think anythin gof it until the race was over. I don't think Ferrari would be pitting so early in the race for a normal stop so must have responded to the saftey car. This may also be the reason I'm sure that BAR didn't.
So why did Ferrari, Renault, McLaren all pit to take advantage of the saftey car when it has been stated they can no longer do this? And how have they got away with it?
Why?
Well after Monaco when cars benefitted from a free pit-stop during the race when the saftey car was deployed the FIA with immediate effect put a stop to this practice.
BMW-Williams website said:
The safety car period at Monaco also saw some frantic action in the pits, as teams called their drivers in immediately to take advantage of the slow running pack and take on fuel and tyres for a minimum time loss. However, with the new system, teams will no longer be able to benefit from a "free pit stop".
"When the message 'safety car is deployed' appears on the timing monitors the pit exit will be closed to all cars except any that are in the pits (at that time)," the letter explained. "The pit exit will remain closed until the safety car passes the pit exit with all cars clearly in a line behind it."
I also read this at the time on Autosport. But didn't think anythin gof it until the race was over. I don't think Ferrari would be pitting so early in the race for a normal stop so must have responded to the saftey car. This may also be the reason I'm sure that BAR didn't.
So why did Ferrari, Renault, McLaren all pit to take advantage of the saftey car when it has been stated they can no longer do this? And how have they got away with it?
wtf,
Sid Watkin's book always emphasized getting to the injured rapidly and then getting them to the hospital rapidly. I'm not sure what the local marshals could have done because RS appeared to need serious medical help not the, sorry about your engine, rigor usual. Then there was the bizarre lap or 1/2 lap the bambulance took. At least RS hit the back rather than the side or front of the car. Visor smacked open, head slumped, shadow within the visor looked pretty ugly.
Then these rules upon rules fouling up JPM. Stupid new rules really aren't helping are they? Are costs lower?
Sid Watkin's book always emphasized getting to the injured rapidly and then getting them to the hospital rapidly. I'm not sure what the local marshals could have done because RS appeared to need serious medical help not the, sorry about your engine, rigor usual. Then there was the bizarre lap or 1/2 lap the bambulance took. At least RS hit the back rather than the side or front of the car. Visor smacked open, head slumped, shadow within the visor looked pretty ugly.
Then these rules upon rules fouling up JPM. Stupid new rules really aren't helping are they? Are costs lower?
Don't think that rule has been implemented yet. Think it was postponed until the French GP.
Also, in defence of the marshalling, I'm pretty sure there are a lot of rules in the US about marshalls being on the track with a race still in full flow, which were brought in after a few were killed at an oval race several years ago. Also explains why they throw a full course yellow for seemingly minor things in US racing. To allow the marshalls to do their job. Still, there should have been someone to Ralf quicker.
Nobody's mentioned Minardi getting a point yet either...
Also, in defence of the marshalling, I'm pretty sure there are a lot of rules in the US about marshalls being on the track with a race still in full flow, which were brought in after a few were killed at an oval race several years ago. Also explains why they throw a full course yellow for seemingly minor things in US racing. To allow the marshalls to do their job. Still, there should have been someone to Ralf quicker.
Nobody's mentioned Minardi getting a point yet either...
The way races are conducted on ovals is quite different to that on normal "road" circuits. That section of the track where Ralph went off was part of the Indy oval and I'm sure they were applying an "oval approach" to the incident for the dafety of the marshalls. Also, remember how long it took for the safety team to deal with Senna?
Yay for Minardi. 
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