1. 

   Hickley
   Member

   At the Hungarian GP, Sebastian Vettel inadvertently gave Mark Webber a big cushion due to dropping over 10 cars length behind the safety car, and it got me wondering.

   Say that at the season closer at Abu Dhabi, this is the scenario: A driver (lets say Alonso) needs a win to take the title, but the Red Bulls are in the lead, when the safety car comes out early. The Red Bulls both pit to change tyres, but the Ferraris stay out and assume the lead. Would there be anything to stop Massa dropping back by 20 or 30 car lengths, or even long enough for Fernando to make a pitstop?

   I assume Massa would probably end up with a black flag or a race ban, but if it gave Alonso the championship then would the FIA be able to take it off him, despite him personally doing nothing wrong? It'd be incredibly controversial if it were to happen, but could it be stopped?

   Hickley

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   Tom Jones
   Key Master

   I'm not sure that there is anything the FIA could do about it, but there would be outrage and the complaints of other teams might force their hand. Theoretically though, I guess it could happen.

   If the Drivers' Championship is still up for grabs come Abu Dhabi, it will be interesting to see how teams work together and how far the rules are pushed...

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   Craig
   Member

   It is a hypothetical question, but not something that won't happen for sure.

   Massa's a smart cookie, if blocking the Red Bull meant a title for Ferrari he would do it. But not deliberately. It been known in the past for team-mates to hold up title rivals, but not so blatantly that the FIA get involved.

   Ferrari could cover it up with the answer that Massa was slower but was defending his position as best he could.

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   Mark
   Member

   Great question. I don't see a way for the FIA to do anything about it unless they had damning incontrovertible evidence, like a radio transmission ordering Massa to back off and hold up a contender behind him. But Ferrari would be smarter than that and work it out ahead of time so there is no "paper trail".

   But yes I would agree there would be outrage and it would be damaging for Formula One. After all contrived race results make fans not want to watch.

   Posted 1 year ago #

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