Formula 1 2021 - General Discussion Thread (Read 1st post rules)

AM's disqualification hearing is set for Monday. That will determine whether they can fir a new pump to get the additional 700ml needed for the sample.

If successful, AM will have the chance to try to get the fuel and depending on whether that's successful, we'll then hopefully get to know the result.

The car is in FIA custody and is currently in France.

There's a procedure for getting the fuel out of the tank. So the question should be whether they can provide a sample or not, - not whether it's in the tank or not. They can't provide the sample because the pump broke and they can't replace it under the current rules. No sample = disqualification and that should be the end or it

But wasn’t it the FIA who couldn’t get a sample out because the FIA mandated pump broke?

So Vettel is potentially going to get disqualified because a pump broke? Utterly ridiculous. Who comes up with these rules and does anyone know what the purpose of this particular rule was in the first place?

I don't know who mandated the pump. AM's pump broke and AM failed to provide a sample.

Bit of a stretch to suggest it's all on the FIA.

Not as far as I can find out, thanks for explanation. Though I did hear that a litre is required for the test and only around a third of a litre could be pumped out after the race (not sure who is responsible for the pumping) no idea if that was to do with a faulty pump or not. Seems to me that the FIA tried to collect the relevant amount and weren't able to do so yet Aston Martin are adamant that required amount was in the tank which is where my confusion stemmed from, I just don't understand how there can be a debate about how much fuel is in the tank, the required amount is either there or it isn't. The whole thing seems to hinge on some technical detail about how the fuel sample should be removed from the tank. They'll probably disqualify him because they're a shower of pricks.

Fine. Pity for Seb to be disqualified after such a lucky result. But it dragged out too long and now it's over.

From their failed appeal to the stewards for the right of review:

After the hearing the FIA revealed that Aston Martin had discovered that a faulty fuel pump meant a ‘significant amount of fuel was inadvertently discharged from the fuel cell of Car 5’, meaning FIA personnel could only extract 0.3 litres.

So the fuel was discharged somewhere and is not still in the tank. That's on Aston Martin so it's an open and shut case.

Well if the fuel isn’t in the tank then that’s the end of it. Pity for seb.

Disagree. They take your approach when testing tyre pressure, out of necessity, and it lead to teams arranging to be compliant before the race (when the tests took place), but making sure to run at lower pressure levels during the race to gain an advantage). The only way to be sure you're testing the fuel that was used in the race is to test the fuel that's in the tank at the end of the race.

It's just disappointing cause its always good to see a midfield team grab a podium and everyone has a bit of a love in for vettel these days so when it gets snatched away it's annoying, (though fair going by the rules unfortunately) if it happens to a merc or red bull doubt there's as much of a conversation about it because they'll be up there again come Spa.

I agree I think the fuel has to be tested after the race. Unless the FIA themselves provide all the fuel or something, but to be honest testing the fuel immediately after the race is probably the best way.

What would be the point of having rules in place to say they can't add things to it if they don't test the fuel after the race to make sure they didn't add anything to it? How would they ever know if teams added something to it just before the race?

Do you think it would be a good idea to simply test the fuel after the race to make sure the fuel they ran during the race was regulation?

Yeah but it's not AM's job to provide 300ml for testing. It's their job to provide 1000ml for testing.

I don't think anyone has suggested the fuel was illegal. But I think everyone is clear that AM didn't provide a litre for testing and that's why they were disqualified.

This isn't a controversial or u reasonable rule. It's just being treated with skepticism because a popular driver fell foul of it this time. Interestingly, its the second time this has happened to Seb. Happened in his red bull days too.

As well as being sponsors, they use it as an opportunity for R&D. The fuels they use is purposely close to road car fuel for testing very reason.

The 1l fuel test isn't going anywhere. It's a good rule and no matter how much people get cross about Vettel's disqualification, it's a necessary rule. There wouldn't be any scrutiny of the rule if an unpopular driver were disqualified.

The engine is surprising alright. I'd like to see some analysis of how its come about. My main questions would be:

Is this the engine they planned to introduce from the beginning and it was delayed (in typical Ferrai inefficiency) or,

Has ferrari found a way to jiggery pokery the rules so they essentially get to upgrade their engine mid season and will all teams be doing this from now on.

Also, will Haas and Alfa get the upgraded engine?

Good video here explaining it.

That era (end of V10 and start of V8) were way more nimble. Alonso commented on that when he did the demo of his Renault at Abu Dhabi last year. The size of the current cars means they are very laborious in corners, if you watch the lap of Alonso in the Renault, you see how quick it shifts direction due to the short wheelbase and generally smaller aero area as well.

Not as quick over a lap, but they didn't have sticky tires or the crazy aero now. But I would have them back in a heartbeat, just run them on eco fuel, sorted.

Almost as if there's only one tyre manufacturer... 😉

I see the poor aul divil in charge of the Spa circuit was killed by her husband when he caught her having an affair. Killed her and her partner. Sad story.

I imagine it will be mentioned at Spa this weekend.

I was actually looking forward to getting up for a race at 6am.

Pity it couldn't go ahead even with no fans.

Back to the Nurburgring?

Interlagos is the one I'm most concerned about. Brazil isn't well known for virus management and the track isn't exactly in the nicest part of town.