Hamilton faces Japan win inquiry
The safety car was deployed twice at a rain-drenched Fuji
Formula One officials are investigating Lewis Hamilton's victory in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix following complaints about erratic driving.
Red Bull's Mark Webber has accused the Englishman of doing a "bad job" behind the safety car after being knocked out of the race while following Hamilton.
Hamilton's win at Fuji gave him a 12-point lead and put him on the verge of winning the world championship.
If he is found guilty, he could have his points from Japan erased.
BBC 5live commentator David Croft, who is at the Chinese Grand Prix for this weekend's race, says there are also suggestions that Hamilton may be penalised 10 places on the grid in Shanghai.
F1 officials are expected to make a decision on Friday.
Part of me wonders whether he showed a little bit of naivety, while part of me wonders whether he had a few tricks up his sleeve. I'd say it was probably a bit of both
Mark Webber on Lewis Hamilton
Webber was knocked out of the race by Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel while they were following Hamilton, and the Australian believes Hamilton braked excessively while they were following the safety car on lap 45.
Webber almost overtook Hamilton as the McLaren driver slowed and moved to the right while following the safety car before an unsighted Vettel hit the Red Bull.
The evidence is believed to be footage filmed from the grandstands at Fuji which appeared on video website YouTube.
"Hamilton did a bad job behind the safety car," said Webber.
"He was not doing what he should have been doing, the rhythm was not there.
"It's hard to swallow, but I have to concentrate on the next race, that's all I can control."
606 DEBATE
I have to admit at the time I ... is driving was very poor
GJthesuperstud
He added in an interview with BBC 5live: "Lewis did a great job in the race and deserved to win it, but I'm not sure he did such a great job behind the safety car.
"Part of me wonders whether he showed a little bit of naivety, while part of me wonders whether he had a few tricks up his sleeve. I'd say it was probably a bit of both.
"I can understand a few tricks when the lights are off, but when the lights are on it means we're going nowhere behind the safety car.
"In dry conditions my Mum can follow Lewis behind the safety car - it's nothing special. The job of the guy who is leading behind the safety to car is to follow the safety car - and when you don't do that it causes problems."
Webber (right) was in second place when the accident happened
Honda's Jenson Button felt Hamilton did not drive well behind the safety car in the opening 19 laps of the race either.
The Briton, who was fourth at the time, said: "When I was behind him it felt really inconsistent, I don't know what he was doing really.
"He came through the last section and he kept slowing down.
"He knew the safety car wasn't coming in and he kept hitting the brakes hard in the last sector so everyone would bunch up, then he'd shoot off and brake again," added the Briton.
"It was quite strange and it normally only happened in the last sector."
German driver Vettel echoed Webber's comments in criticising Hamilton.
"It was my fault, but it is clear the rhythm was not there," he said.
"We are all sitting in the same boat. At the point [of the crash) I was distracted, looking to the right.
"I was sure Hamilton was retiring, he seemed to have no power any longer, but by the time I looked back, I was already in Mark's rear end." F1 regulations state: "The safety car shall be used at least until the leader is behind it and all remaining cars are lined up behind him. "Once behind the safety car, the race leader must keep within five car lengths of it."
Source: BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h ... t/formula_one/7027743.stm
The safety car was deployed twice at a rain-drenched FujiFormula One officials are investigating Lewis Hamilton's victory in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix following complaints about erratic driving.
Red Bull's Mark Webber has accused the Englishman of doing a "bad job" behind the safety car after being knocked out of the race while following Hamilton.
Hamilton's win at Fuji gave him a 12-point lead and put him on the verge of winning the world championship.
If he is found guilty, he could have his points from Japan erased.
BBC 5live commentator David Croft, who is at the Chinese Grand Prix for this weekend's race, says there are also suggestions that Hamilton may be penalised 10 places on the grid in Shanghai.
F1 officials are expected to make a decision on Friday.
Part of me wonders whether he showed a little bit of naivety, while part of me wonders whether he had a few tricks up his sleeve. I'd say it was probably a bit of both
Mark Webber on Lewis Hamilton
Webber was knocked out of the race by Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel while they were following Hamilton, and the Australian believes Hamilton braked excessively while they were following the safety car on lap 45.
Webber almost overtook Hamilton as the McLaren driver slowed and moved to the right while following the safety car before an unsighted Vettel hit the Red Bull.
The evidence is believed to be footage filmed from the grandstands at Fuji which appeared on video website YouTube.
"Hamilton did a bad job behind the safety car," said Webber.
"He was not doing what he should have been doing, the rhythm was not there.
"It's hard to swallow, but I have to concentrate on the next race, that's all I can control."
606 DEBATE I have to admit at the time I ... is driving was very poor
GJthesuperstud
He added in an interview with BBC 5live: "Lewis did a great job in the race and deserved to win it, but I'm not sure he did such a great job behind the safety car.
"Part of me wonders whether he showed a little bit of naivety, while part of me wonders whether he had a few tricks up his sleeve. I'd say it was probably a bit of both.
"I can understand a few tricks when the lights are off, but when the lights are on it means we're going nowhere behind the safety car.
"In dry conditions my Mum can follow Lewis behind the safety car - it's nothing special. The job of the guy who is leading behind the safety to car is to follow the safety car - and when you don't do that it causes problems."
Webber (right) was in second place when the accident happenedHonda's Jenson Button felt Hamilton did not drive well behind the safety car in the opening 19 laps of the race either.
The Briton, who was fourth at the time, said: "When I was behind him it felt really inconsistent, I don't know what he was doing really.
"He came through the last section and he kept slowing down.
"He knew the safety car wasn't coming in and he kept hitting the brakes hard in the last sector so everyone would bunch up, then he'd shoot off and brake again," added the Briton.
"It was quite strange and it normally only happened in the last sector."
German driver Vettel echoed Webber's comments in criticising Hamilton.
"It was my fault, but it is clear the rhythm was not there," he said.
"We are all sitting in the same boat. At the point [of the crash) I was distracted, looking to the right.
"I was sure Hamilton was retiring, he seemed to have no power any longer, but by the time I looked back, I was already in Mark's rear end." F1 regulations state: "The safety car shall be used at least until the leader is behind it and all remaining cars are lined up behind him. "Once behind the safety car, the race leader must keep within five car lengths of it."
Source: BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h ... t/formula_one/7027743.stm
**Spoilers** F1 2007: Chinese Grand Prix 2007
To start things off on this topic.
http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2007/10/6914.html
Exclusive interview - Honda’s Jenson Button
Finding a solution to a problem is never easy especially when you’re a Formula One team and your problem is a technical one. After a promising 2006, Honda - and Jenson Button - have hit a wall this season and last weekend’s race at the Fuji Speedway failed to improve matters.
Driver and team had wanted to put on a good show for their home fans but poor weather and a mulish car quickly put paid to any hopes. Only Saturday’s seventh-place grid slot showed just what could be possible for Button and Honda if everything went their way. With just two races left to run, 2008 is now the only focus…
Q: How would you describe your season so far? Is there anything positive or would you rather forget all about it?
Jenson Button: It was a tough season and of course it wasn’t the season that we had expected. The car has not improved over the past few months - at least not as much as we needed it to. Obviously, we went the wrong direction aerodynamically, but that process probably started at the end of last year. So yes, it’s been a tough year - probably the toughest of my whole career. So all we can do is work as hard as we can and employ people to give fresh ideas. We have already started that process.
Q: This time last year things looked quite promising. What went wrong?
JB: In my view, it was the wrong ideas when it came to aerodynamics. We went in the wrong direction. But this is exactly what we are going to change now as a lot of the new people have realised that and the last test has really been a quest for new ideas.
Q: What is it that keeps the car at the back of the grid?
JB: We couldn’t change the engine too much so we really have had to focus on aerodynamics. But it is not just about having as much downforce as possible, it’s about having useable downforce, which means you have downforce all the time, not only on the straight. But I can see we are entering a very exciting process.
Q: How disappointing is it to have only made it into Q3 on three occasions - in Monaco, Italy and Japan - and to have only scored two points?
JB: Yes, it’s tough. But honestly, entering Q3 really means nothing to me. If I am not able to qualify for pole or win a race it doesn’t matter where you finish. It’s all about learning from my mistakes - and looking forward
Q: You are at a crucial point in your career. Some fundamental changes need to be made - what do you think they are?
JB: Every stage in one’s career is crucial. For example, Lewis (Hamilton) is very young, he hasn’t had a lot of time in Formula One but wants to win the championship this year. But if he doesn’t win, there might not be another possibility. In reality, everything is a question of possibilities. For us, yes 2007 was a pretty poor year and we only can hope that we will change the situation in 2008. That’s all we can do.
Q: Do you regret any decisions you’ve made in the past?
JB: No, never. It’s done now, it’s behind you. It’s about not making the same mistakes again. The same goes for the team as well as for every individual. If you make the same mistakes again, you are a fool. It’s that simple. We should learn from our slips and become stronger.
Q: Does it annoy you having all these rookies in front of you, knowing you could easily challenge them if you had the right car?
JB: No, because nobody has only great years in his career. Some people are lucky when they arrive in Formula One and others really have to fight for it - being with a good team. But I am with a good team and we just have to make the best of what we have - and we haven’t done that yet. We have a lot of intelligent people and we just have to bring it altogether.
Q: Do you think your performance will improve over the last two races?
JB: No, I don’t think so. To make the car a little bit quicker in the last two races would take away wind tunnel capacity for the development of next year’s car - that would not make sense. We will probably be a little faster in the races to come, but that is down to us at the track.
Q: How is the development of the 2008 car progressing?
JB: We are perfectly on track. But for me I am excited to start testing as it is not just aerodynamics that we have to improve but we have new systems, no traction control, nothing to help you on the braking. I am looking forward driving without traction control as I feel that it supports my style of driving and from what I have done so far the lap times look pretty promising.
Not long til Friday for the practice. Hopefully it will be as exciting as it was last year.
http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2007/10/6914.html
Exclusive interview - Honda’s Jenson Button
Finding a solution to a problem is never easy especially when you’re a Formula One team and your problem is a technical one. After a promising 2006, Honda - and Jenson Button - have hit a wall this season and last weekend’s race at the Fuji Speedway failed to improve matters.
Driver and team had wanted to put on a good show for their home fans but poor weather and a mulish car quickly put paid to any hopes. Only Saturday’s seventh-place grid slot showed just what could be possible for Button and Honda if everything went their way. With just two races left to run, 2008 is now the only focus…
Q: How would you describe your season so far? Is there anything positive or would you rather forget all about it?
Jenson Button: It was a tough season and of course it wasn’t the season that we had expected. The car has not improved over the past few months - at least not as much as we needed it to. Obviously, we went the wrong direction aerodynamically, but that process probably started at the end of last year. So yes, it’s been a tough year - probably the toughest of my whole career. So all we can do is work as hard as we can and employ people to give fresh ideas. We have already started that process.
Q: This time last year things looked quite promising. What went wrong?
JB: In my view, it was the wrong ideas when it came to aerodynamics. We went in the wrong direction. But this is exactly what we are going to change now as a lot of the new people have realised that and the last test has really been a quest for new ideas.
Q: What is it that keeps the car at the back of the grid?
JB: We couldn’t change the engine too much so we really have had to focus on aerodynamics. But it is not just about having as much downforce as possible, it’s about having useable downforce, which means you have downforce all the time, not only on the straight. But I can see we are entering a very exciting process.
Q: How disappointing is it to have only made it into Q3 on three occasions - in Monaco, Italy and Japan - and to have only scored two points?
JB: Yes, it’s tough. But honestly, entering Q3 really means nothing to me. If I am not able to qualify for pole or win a race it doesn’t matter where you finish. It’s all about learning from my mistakes - and looking forward
Q: You are at a crucial point in your career. Some fundamental changes need to be made - what do you think they are?
JB: Every stage in one’s career is crucial. For example, Lewis (Hamilton) is very young, he hasn’t had a lot of time in Formula One but wants to win the championship this year. But if he doesn’t win, there might not be another possibility. In reality, everything is a question of possibilities. For us, yes 2007 was a pretty poor year and we only can hope that we will change the situation in 2008. That’s all we can do.
Q: Do you regret any decisions you’ve made in the past?
JB: No, never. It’s done now, it’s behind you. It’s about not making the same mistakes again. The same goes for the team as well as for every individual. If you make the same mistakes again, you are a fool. It’s that simple. We should learn from our slips and become stronger.
Q: Does it annoy you having all these rookies in front of you, knowing you could easily challenge them if you had the right car?
JB: No, because nobody has only great years in his career. Some people are lucky when they arrive in Formula One and others really have to fight for it - being with a good team. But I am with a good team and we just have to make the best of what we have - and we haven’t done that yet. We have a lot of intelligent people and we just have to bring it altogether.
Q: Do you think your performance will improve over the last two races?
JB: No, I don’t think so. To make the car a little bit quicker in the last two races would take away wind tunnel capacity for the development of next year’s car - that would not make sense. We will probably be a little faster in the races to come, but that is down to us at the track.
Q: How is the development of the 2008 car progressing?
JB: We are perfectly on track. But for me I am excited to start testing as it is not just aerodynamics that we have to improve but we have new systems, no traction control, nothing to help you on the braking. I am looking forward driving without traction control as I feel that it supports my style of driving and from what I have done so far the lap times look pretty promising.
Not long til Friday for the practice. Hopefully it will be as exciting as it was last year.
In answer to your question Jakg, yes, 8x AA, the highest setting.
It's something I'm happy to put up with for now, I was saying to garph earlier that I'll wait until November, and start doing my orders.
I'm not really looking for perfection on the upgrades, just the parts that will get along with others.
It's something I'm happy to put up with for now, I was saying to garph earlier that I'll wait until November, and start doing my orders.
I'm not really looking for perfection on the upgrades, just the parts that will get along with others.
Sounds good.
I'll have a go at LFS tonight, and take it from there. I don't want to jump into the upgrades too soon. As I can remember, LFS has been running solidly on my PC ever since I got it. *90fps on straights, 40fps on race to T1*
But I will be taking this into consideration for the upcoming months
.
I'll have a go at LFS tonight, and take it from there. I don't want to jump into the upgrades too soon. As I can remember, LFS has been running solidly on my PC ever since I got it. *90fps on straights, 40fps on race to T1*
But I will be taking this into consideration for the upcoming months
.That has certainly caught my eye.
What Graphics card would you recommend? I was going for something standard, because literally I'm putting my budget as 250 quid. (hence the graphics card link on the first post)
Any suggestions where I can get the RAM and Graphics card?
*graphics card doesn't bother me, its something to keep me occupied, since I'm just playing LFS at the moment*
Upgrading PC.
I've got a bit of cash on me, and I was browsing around ebuyer, and got a kick in the nuts realising how cheap the Dual Core, motherboards and graphics cards are today!
Here is the specifications I have on me at the moment.
Athlon 3500+ 64 Bit (2.2ghz)
PC3200 2GB Ram 1 x GB
AGP X8 6800GT Nvidia 256MB
Socket 939 Motherboard
And here is what caught my attention.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/106578 - Graphics card
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/114773 - Motherboard AM2
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125203 - AM2 Dual Core Processor.
Just under 200 quid for the 3 of them, I got other standard components that are neccessary *sound card, RAM, Fans etc, 500w PSU.*
What do you guys think? Seems a good idea for me to order this week, but I wanted your opinions, because you have more experience than me, in knowledge and understanding.
Here is the specifications I have on me at the moment.
Athlon 3500+ 64 Bit (2.2ghz)
PC3200 2GB Ram 1 x GB
AGP X8 6800GT Nvidia 256MB
Socket 939 Motherboard
And here is what caught my attention.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/106578 - Graphics card
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/114773 - Motherboard AM2
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125203 - AM2 Dual Core Processor.
Just under 200 quid for the 3 of them, I got other standard components that are neccessary *sound card, RAM, Fans etc, 500w PSU.*
What do you guys think? Seems a good idea for me to order this week, but I wanted your opinions, because you have more experience than me, in knowledge and understanding.
If Lep joins the league, I won't take part in it. I think that pretty much clears how I feel about him.
*hopes Vettel takes the lead*
Race is really picking up now
.
Race is really picking up now
.Takuma Sato! Bring the excitement back in F1 .
.True, but in base of reality, he's not getting anywhere. I'd use the time time to get a job, study at college, hypothetically speaking of course.
He's just wasting his time doing something that will eventually give him negative feedback, won't get him anywhere at all.
Why would Phlos want to come back and start trouble in the first place? After making a right tit of himself last year.
He's wasting his time coming back thats for sure.
He's wasting his time coming back thats for sure.
Karate Course, me and others were asked if we wanted to come down for the weekend with the English group of Karate students.
What happened on the news regarding the AA, I must have missed that.
Just to add, I'm only going for the Roadside covers.
AA or RAC?
I'm driving down to the ATC Lan Party with my ATC colleagues down south in England on Thursday morning. Reason I'm driving down is because I'll be bringing my PC equipment and my DFP down for the next few days.
As a precaution, I intend to have a Car Breakdown Cover just incase. Because not only will I be stopping at the ATC Lan party *which is just about 400 miles from where I am in Fife* I'll be driving down to Guildford near London, from the ATC HQ which is 150 miles and back.
And I noticed that both the AA and the RAC have the same Breakdown cover polices. *tend to go for the cheapest ones 30 quid*
Which is more recommended between the two?
As a precaution, I intend to have a Car Breakdown Cover just incase. Because not only will I be stopping at the ATC Lan party *which is just about 400 miles from where I am in Fife* I'll be driving down to Guildford near London, from the ATC HQ which is 150 miles and back.
And I noticed that both the AA and the RAC have the same Breakdown cover polices. *tend to go for the cheapest ones 30 quid*
Which is more recommended between the two?
Even though it was a short stint for me, I enjoyed the 8 laps. starting 12th, and ending up 6th, before retiring. I wasn't feeling well, and was getting really dizzy. Had too much screen time all day yesterday.
Congrats to everyone that took part though.
Congrats to everyone that took part though.
I withdraw my last post in style. Very good point there.
It'd be such a shame to see this league go to waste, its an fantastic league and an very well organised one I'll give you that.
But with this in the General Discussion, it'd attract more members who would be interested in participating in an league.
He's forgotton his pacifier/dummy, which is why he's in a cranky mood.
There ya go Leppy! *hands over the dirty dummy*
I'll be using the XFR myself. I'll get practicing once I get the GFC out of the way this Sunday .
.FGED GREDG RDFGDR GSFDG