Sorry in advance for the OT rant.... I admit I am starting to lose patience with the commercial rights holders and the FIA who are turning what was once a legitimate sport into a Netflix 'extravaganza' akin to watching American Wrestling. After the fiasco of Abu Dhabi two years ago, and in spite of claiming to have 'fixed things' they once again outdid themselves in engineering an unprecedented 3 Red flags in a single race, two of which were completely unnecessary. Whilst safety is important, the Safety Car and Red Flags are increasingly being used to close up the field and/or create restarts which are fast becoming the sole point of interest in races that are more processional than competitive. Racing is and has always been a high risk, and no one wants deaths or serious injuries but the suspicion is that H&S procedures are becoming intrusive to the point of manipulating results rather than their intended purpose of keeping drivers safe. Yesterday was a clear indication that they have no idea what they are doing. The drivers were left totally comfused. One lap rolling restart behind SC to end the race! What was the point of that? Already this season, prior to yesterday, we saw a SC deployed when Lance Stroll had sensibly managed to park his car well off the track, away from t racing line/escape route and behind a barrier at a marshals post. The 'excuse' put out by the FIA is that they could not see where Stroll's car had come to a stop which is nonsense since millions of viewers could clearly see that the car position presented no danger to other drivers. Whilst conspiracy theorists argue that it was to assist RBR and Verstappen who had started at the back, I rather think it was deployed to close up the field in what was becoming a procession with ever increasing distances between the cars. Verstappen benefitting from it was a by-product. The whole SC /Red flag rules need rewriting as you can have 50 laps of racing where strategy and driver's skills have eked out a lead, often in tenths of a second per lap only for it to become a lottery over one or two laps. I have followed F1 and WCs for decades and, whilst I have not yet reached the point of giving up on it but am gradually losing my passion. Arguments that viewing figures and attendances are higher than ever does not convince me either as the fanbase is increasingly driven by tribalism, sensationalist reporting on feuding drivers, team bosses etc. rather than appreciating the engineering achievements and skills of all the drivers and engineers that made it the pinnacle of motor sport. IMO One of the biggest losses to F! was the death of Charlie Whiting. I am certain F1 would have not have become increasing farce it now appears to be under his stewardship as he would have resisted Liberty's attempts to turn it, first and foremost into a vehicle (pun intended) for entertainment. Rant over
I agree with most of what you put but the finish under the safety car had an element of logic although it may appear strange. The last recorded standing prior to the red flag was at the restart, if the race hadn’t been restarted all those drivers who crashed on the restart would have been placed at their restart position, much to the advantage of the Alpine team who were main contributors to the red flag. By running the race to completion under the safety car the placings were corrected to remove the drivers who had caused the red flag. It all seemed a bit weird but I sort of understood the logic.
The ending of the race made complete sense though. It was the commentators who were trying to invent some kind of conspiracy or confusion. Cars hadn't completed a sector so they go back to the last lap. That's standard f1 rules If the drivers didn't know what was happening then that's all on them being a bit thick. Alonso for example knew exactly what was happening and what the procedure should be. I believe Hamilton has also said that he knew and I can bet that vettel would have been watching and knowing too. Why? Because they are the drivers who pay attention to the rules You also said "The whole SC /Red flag rules need rewriting as you can have 50 laps of racing where strategy and driver's skills have eked out a lead, often in tenths of a second per lap only for it to become a lottery over one or two laps." You're right but you make it out as this being a new problem. It isn't. I've seen safety cars near the end 20 and 30 years ago
I've stopped watching. I don't believe there is any conspiracy favouring any of the teams but the rules changes (or rules being ignored) just so we can see some semblance of racing is a bit tedious. Ultimately, it is a spectator sport but I don't see how there can be very specific rules relating to, I dunno, an engine component being within 0.0000001nm thickness but then a "f#ck it" attitude to racing rules on the day. Either it's a sport for the lawyers or it isn't, you can't mix and match.
Great summary and I agree it has always been the case that safety cars and red flags impact the race. I think process was correct yesterday. The only one up for debate is if the red flag was actually necessary near the end or if they could have just finished under the safety car. But it was a call made on safety. The chaos on the restart could happen at any rate start as we have seen many times before. Crofty is absolutely horrible on commentary and talks utter nonsense half the time. Spot on about Alonso he was on the ball from the second he was told about the red flag.
I am fortunate in that almost all the races are without commentary here. This is due to the fact that I watch the highlights in HD on CH8 here which is SKY terrestrial (which are the entire 'live' race simply delayed for a few hours). This is because I will not subscribe to Sky's business model. I get all the sound effects,crowd noise, tannoy etc. and post race interviews without jabbering Italian commentators who obsess over Ferrari throughout the race.
It's a bent sport currently being run to benefit one driver by ensuring it will be him and not Lewis Hamilton who breaks MS record and wins 8 World Championships whether that's out right racism or just anti British is anybody's guess.
You could see what was going to happen when the Yanks took over F1. All about TV viewing ratings. Close the field up for the end of the race and make it a short few laps sprint for the win. Excitement for the TV audience.
