Trulli's mistake

[Zaius]

Is this guy for real? Was that a genuine mistake (if so, all he had to do was concentrate for one more turn) or what? Handing Rubens a podium like that when he had a chance to give France a double Renault podium is just amazing.

[Adam43]

It was racing.

Trulli squeezed Rubens at first, but then continued to go for it. Trulli didn't challenge the mid corner.

Rubens got it slowed down well.

Rubens coming up in coference...

[Mr V]

To be fair to Jarno, this was his first real mistake all season. Before the overtake, Trulli was going to be my driver of the day for holding up, first, Button, then Barrichello and Button all race, but after the move Rubens gets it.

[Adam43]

Rubens says Jarno's mistake at the corner before...

[Kicking-back]

Rubens "I think Jarno slowed down a bit too much at turn 13 so I was able to get along side him."

[Knowlesy]

That is putting it mildly, Rubens!

[Mr V]

Edited due to Adam sneakily removing his double post!

[Zaius]

As Rubens said in the conference, Trulli simply started braking too early, and he took advantage of it. Trulli put himself in a position that he didn't need to put himself into. Kudos to Rubens for taking advantage of it, but I have a feeling Trulli will just shrug that one off.

[Kicking-back]

Do we want to see overtaking or not?

Anytime there's an overtaking manouvre, someone's reputation gets slaughtered on here!

[Knowlesy]

Yeah, but on the same token we don't want to see Trulli practically gift wrapping positions to others!

[Kicking-back]

Why not?

It's only him who loses out, not us.

And it's provided a bit of excitement, and a talking point!

[Knowlesy]

True enough! In much the same way as Austria 2002 did! Hehehe....

Nah, to be fair, I think it was more down to Rubens' opportunism. I mean, two corners to go....he could easily have settled for fourth.

[Zaius]

What bothered me about that mistake is that it was more of a "falling asleep at the wheel" mistake than a "he's breathing down my neck" mistake. Maybe Trulli overthought the last turn and wanted to make sure he wouldn't brake too late and overcompensated by breaking ridiculously early.

[Adam43]

I'd like to see the whole move. i.e. from before the corner before. We don't know how much Trulli was comprimised by his mistake the corner before.

[BootsOntheSide]

Well, Rubens was breathing down Jarno's neck at the time, as someone had been for the entire race. Rubens looked extremely aggressive, making several attempts in the final few laps, and seemingly went for a move Jarno didn't expect. Although it put a sour note on Jarno's race, it shouldn't take away the fact taht his overall efforts were pretty useful, with a rgeat start and some solid defensive driving.

[Super Tourer]

Not often we get a last corner move - that works! Enjoy!

[Adam43]

Yeah, in any form of racing!

[Zaius]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
Well, Rubens was breathing down Jarno's neck at the time, as someone had been for the entire race. Rubens looked extremely aggressive, making several attempts in the final few laps, and seemingly went for a move Jarno didn't expect. Although it put a sour note on Jarno's race, it shouldn't take away the fact taht his overall efforts were pretty useful, with a rgeat start and some solid defensive driving.

All true, but from what I've seen of the move and subsequent replays, his actual mistake didn't seem to result from defensive driving maneuvers you'd see from the breathing down the neck part, but rather showed Trulli both breaking remarkably early and practically gift wrapping Rubens the inside, 2 behaviors that are not usually associated with being in defensive mode. As Adam says though, I'd like to take a closer look at it. I might see if that all was a result of a defensive-driving related mistake that had occured even before that turn, which would explain it better.

[Jordi]

Jarno's problem is that he probably didn't see Rubens trying. Otherwise one thinks he would have shut the door.

[gringottsdirect]

Shame French TV director didn't see Rubens trying too.
Although the coverage today was very poor, this was particulary bad as we could see Barrichello shaping up to try a pass yet the cameras nearly missed it altogether.
It would have made a much more exciting race to watch if the TV had shown more of mid-field battles.
Barrichello deserves praise for trying right to the end.

[f1manoz]

Trulli thought that he had it all wrapped up, and only realised his mistake too late and Rubens just nicked it. Great opportunistic move by Rubens but unfortunate for Trulli, who had driven a strong race holding off everyone else... until then!

[Teretonga]

Yeah. Jarno relaxed a corner too early, probably thinking that a pass or an attempt was unlikely at that point, that he had covered reubens up until then and RB had probably settled for fourth....But he hadn't and Jarno got his place nicked. Jarno will learn, Barrichello's reputation as an aggressive overtaker is enhanced both within the team and in the sport generally, and we got a last gasp pass...

[senna12]

Well, Pat Symonds is a bit peeved off at him...

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=56215

This is the kind of mistake that can cost you in more ways than one. Especially if you haven't signed a new deal yet, and are asking for more money, or believe you've managed to change peoples opinions of your ability to race consistently.

[Hugh Jarce]

It was a corker - if it had been one of the new young guys I think it would have meant 'no new contract'.

Perhaps Jarno thought Rubens would honour his contractual agreement not to overtake during the last stint.

[Kirk]

Originally posted by senna12
Well, Pat Symonds is a bit peeved off at him...

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=56215

This is the kind of mistake that can cost you in more ways than one. Especially if you haven't signed a new deal yet, and are asking for more money, or believe you've managed to change peoples opinions of your ability to race consistently.

Agreed, because it was giving up a podium position, on Renault's home track, magnifies the situation. When contract talks become heated you can bet that this incident will be mentioned.
As for the pass itself, I agree with most comments in that Trulli relaxed too early and by the time he woke up it was too late. On a more upbeat note for him, at least he showed the maturity to accept the inevitable and not turn in on Rubens in desperation. I can think of a few drivers who may have done exactly that.