costley Mistake

[blacktulip]

From the official F1 site

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for next weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix following an incident in Sunday’s Australian race. Vettel collided with BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica during the latter stages in Melbourne as the Polish driver attempted to overtake him.

Following a post-race investigation, stewards decided to penalise the young German for 'causing a collision and forcing a driver off the track’. He had been racing in second, behind eventual race victor Jenson Button, with Kubica running a close third.

“We were in second and a strong position, but then, a couple of laps from the end, I had a stupid racing accident with Robert,” explained Vettel. “At the time I turned in I was ahead, but I couldn't keep up speed in the corner and Robert was on a harder tyre, so was much quicker. At the time we collided he was in front, but I had no where to go, I couldn't stop the car, or turn to the right and my tyres were gone.

“Maybe I should have said let him go and bring third back home, but that's life. I tried to defend and, up to the mid-corner, I had reason, but then I had no grip to avoid a collision. I'm sorry to the team and also to Robert, as it didn't just mean the end of my race, but also his.”

Both Vettel's and Kubica's cars sustained substantial front-end damage in the collision. But while the BMW Sauber driver spun off and hit a wall soon after, Vettel continued to drive his stricken RB5 with its left front wheel hanging off as the safety car emerged following the incident.

As a result the stewards have additionally fined him - and Red Bull Racing - US$50,000 for continuing to drive a damaged car.

[blacktulip]

Two young drivers giving it their all, such a shame it ended that way

Vettel though should in my opinion have known better than to continue with a damaged car.

[apedant]

One word for Vettel. APPEAL!

He missed a braking point, if this ruling is applied with consistency then there must be a penalty for every single crash this season, and what about Kubica not giving Vettel enough space when he must have seen that Vettel had braked too soon. It was a racing accident with no fault.

[susieq]

That is totally outragous, it was a racing incident, I feel Kubica was as much to blame. Yes he should be penalised for driving the damaged car, he could have caused a few punctures to other cars, thankfully he never.
They want cars to overtake and this is what is going to happen, its always happened even to the best. I hope they appeal.

[f1diva]

Such a shame, felt so bad for both of them as it happened, but Vettel's penalty is in my mind unjustified. It was a racing incident, they both hold equal blame so why should he recieve a penalty.

Also i think the reason Vettel continued to lap after he crashed was his entrance to the pit was blocked as he passed by another car, ill have the check the replay but that is how it seemed at the time.

Bring on Malaysia

F1diva

[WickedPlans]

It's a real shame as they both deserved a good points scoring finish.

I don't understand how they lay the blame with Vettel though. That makes no sense to me at all.

[redline]

i think it was just a racing accident robert could have give him a bit more room and vetel made mistake the corner before

[gizzy]

Vetel's tires were giving out...and Robert was a bit aggressive. In hindsight, Kubica could have waited another couple of corners and he would have an easy pass.

I say that Vetel should have pulled over earlier instead of driving around with 3 wheels. He probably thought that there is only a lap or two left, I need points and can finish with a broken car.

Vetel should have parked it, and neither driver should suffer a penalty for the crash other than no points and no podium.

Racing incident, both drivers are partially at fault.

FIA likes to collect fines...a little too much so.

Vetel was penalized a bit too much, IMHO.

-giz

[seabassfan]

Vettel was never going to make that corner. He was driving the inside line the whole time and Kubica was coming fast. In fact, if you see a replay at live speed, you'll see that Vettel was slowing down about 100 meters before the corner ( because he had no brakes)- So Kubica figures he's letting him pass. then Vettel doesn't hold up to let him pass and they collide. Racing incident- yes. However, from his position on the track approaching the 3rd corner, Vettel would have had to be in very low first gear just to make that corner. As for the $50,000- he should have used common sense and not risk other cars.

[apedant]

I've no problem with the fine, that's well deserved, but I still can't believe a ten place drop is deserved for what is really just a lack of experience, an honest mistake. The rule on causing an accident is meant for punishing stupid moves that were never going to work, not to say that someone must be to blame for every accident.