Teflonso's start - Was it dangerous?

Ubique · 26 Sep 2010, 16:51 (Ref:2764936)

Having watched the Singapore GP and the BBC Forum I was wondering how the rest of you felt about Teflonso's start and his dive across the track?

My initial feelings was that it was a dangerous an totally not needed move made by a driver who thought he had fluffed his start. Now don't get me wrong I would feel the same which ever driver had done this as he seriously risked causing a major crash with Vettel and it was clear from the in car shots and how Seb backed off that it unnerved him. It's not just Teflonso who has started doing this as many of the grid seem to think it's an acceptable move indeed Seb is the driver who seems to do it most often. The more I watched the start the more I feel that the FIA and Stewards need to put a stop to drivers trying to defend a bad start like this as it's only a matter of when not if one of them gets it wrong and hits their opponent.

Having spoken to other friends some of whom are racing drivers and others who are marshals we all felt that this was the only blot on Teflonso's copy book this race and indeed he drove superbly for the rest of it. But we had to agree with Martin Brundle when he said the more he watched it the more out of order the move looked.

Anyway thats my opinion and I'd love to hear yours, so discuss.

**Born Racer** · 26 Sep 2010, 16:52 (Ref:2764937)

Yep.

**Born Racer** · 26 Sep 2010, 16:52 (Ref:2764939)

But they've been doing this for ages and seem to get away with it.

One day, someone's going to keep their foot planted and they'll crash. Perhaps a situation where the driver behind is ahead on points going into the final race.

Steve Milward · 26 Sep 2010, 16:56 (Ref:2764942)

I don't think it was dangerous at all, if you watch he is just moving over to stop other drivers zipping down the inside. I think Vettel knew the move was coming to be honest hence his very swift manoeuvre.

I'm not a Ferrari or Alonso fan but I think the way in which they have turned the season around is remarkable.

stripedcat · 26 Sep 2010, 17:00 (Ref:2764946)

The "Schumacher chop" as it is sometimes referred to. Nowadays a lot of drivers seem to do it.

Vettel has also used it quite a bit. I remember so did Webber.

Alonso's one was not as bad. But I agree it is something that should be looked at, as it could be very dangerous.

fourWheelDrift · 26 Sep 2010, 17:03 (Ref:2764951)

I'd much rather they weren't allowed to do it but I have learnt to accept that since Schumacher introduced this particular move to the sport it is accepted by the drivers and the stewards so as spectators we have little option but to accept it to.

There is no doubt in my mind that starts would be safer if it wasn't allowed but I don't think the increase in risk it brings is all that great, however should we be unlucky enough to see a big accident as a direct result I am sure the authorities will stamp on it after the damage is done.

Ubique · 26 Sep 2010, 17:11 (Ref:2764960)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourWheelDrift

I'd much rather they weren't allowed to do it but I have learnt to accept that since Schumacher introduced this particular move to the sport it is accepted by the drivers and the stewards so as spectators we have little option but to accept it to.

There is no doubt in my mind that starts would be safer if it wasn't allowed but I don't think the increase in risk it brings is all that great, however should we be unlucky enough to see a big accident as a direct result I am sure the authorities will stamp on it after the damage is done.

Yeah thats how I felt but I have the feeling that as per usual the FIA will close the stable door after the horse has bolted. I think it will take a major incident for this stupid and dangerous practice for any action to be taken. My main concern would be that as it's the start if the 2 leaders collide after a move like that how many other cars would end up involved? The risk may seem low but can you imagine it happening at somewhere like Monaco? You could end up with everybody out by the first corner!

beau1 · 26 Sep 2010, 17:23 (Ref:2764975)

Only dangerous in a 'Motorsport is dangerous' way. They are nowhere near as bad the chops or weaves that plagued the mid-late 90s.

Do we not want a race? Maybe we should introduce a rule which states the drivers arn't allowed to defend if there is a car 5 metres from them.
Or even better, ban defending altogether.

OZ_HCR32 · 26 Sep 2010, 17:31 (Ref:2764984)

There was nothing wrong with Alonso moving over. Vettel was behind at the time and wasnt forcing him off the road.

Its only an issue if they are ploughing someone into a wall or other cars like some of Vettels such as Silvertsone etc. But that was ok as he realised when a car was alongside that he had to stop moving over. Webber on Rubens last year was a tough move, hitting Rubens side pod. Thats going to happen from time to time when cars on the start are charging towards turn 1 and trying to manage the cars behind them, their braking zone on cold tyres and their turn in for the first turn,

Alonso in my eyes is 100% ok for his start

Ubique · 26 Sep 2010, 17:35 (Ref:2764990)

Quote:

Originally Posted by beau1

Only dangerous in a 'Motorsport is dangerous' way. They are nowhere near as bad the chops or weaves that plagued the mid-late 90s.

Do we not want a race? Maybe we should introduce a rule which states the drivers arn't allowed to defend if there is a car 5 metres from them.
Or even better, ban defending altogether.

Personally I feel they are as bad as the chops in the 90's. Having been part of the Marshals team at the first corner of a GP I can tell you the cars are a damned sight closer than they look on TV the simple fact is if the one of the two drivers involved doesn't back off there could be a huge crash that takes out most of the grid at the very start of the race. We have come along way from the days of Senna, Prost, and Schumi taking their opponents out deliberately so that they can win the title but I have a feeling that if it was a title decider and either Seb or Teflonso were cut up by an opponent that has to beat them to take the title they won't back out and would force the crash saying afterwards "Hey it's not my fault he cut me up and I had nowhere to go"

Ralf's Girl · 26 Sep 2010, 17:44 (Ref:2764995)

Textbook 'Schumi chop'. It was dangerous, even more so if Vettel had kept his foot in. I really don't like seeing drivers do that at the start of the race, but sadly it's now accepted practice. As others have said, if it causes an accident the FIA will suddenly realise that it's dangerous and will do something about it, but not before.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 26 Sep 2010, 18:01 (Ref:2765001)

The Schumacher Chop; Schumi's brought so much to the sport.

beau1 · 26 Sep 2010, 18:51 (Ref:2765019)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

The Schumacher Chop; Schumi's brought so much to the sport.

It was happening during the 1980s as well. Schumacher didn't invent it.

ASCII Man · 26 Sep 2010, 19:24 (Ref:2765037)

Quote:

Originally Posted by beau1

It was happening during the 1980s as well. Schumacher didn't invent it.

Yeah, but its easier to kick a man when he's down.

ralf fan · 26 Sep 2010, 19:26 (Ref:2765041)

Dangerous definitely. He'd have got punished if an accident occurred.

Ralf's Girl · 26 Sep 2010, 19:26 (Ref:2765042)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASCII Man

Yeah, but its easier to kick a man when he's down.

People were kicking him about the Schumi Chop about 8 years ago!

ASCII Man · 26 Sep 2010, 19:30 (Ref:2765044)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

People were kicking him about the Schumi Chop about 8 years ago!

Lies and slander, they were all in awe.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 26 Sep 2010, 19:39 (Ref:2765050)

Quote:

Originally Posted by beau1

It was happening during the 1980s as well. Schumacher didn't invent it.

I don't remember it being used in the '80s but if it was, it was never used as aggressively in they way Schumi did.

beau1 · 26 Sep 2010, 19:48 (Ref:2765058)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I don't remember it being used in the '80s but if it was, it was never used as aggressively in they way Schumi did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUAPE...eature=related

Watch Berger as he defends against the Mclaren and second Williams.

flor · 26 Sep 2010, 19:52 (Ref:2765061)

Motorsport is dangerous.

**chunterer** · 26 Sep 2010, 20:12 (Ref:2765067)

Trying to overtake or defend it seems is very dangerous.

Alonso's start was fine nothing wrong with some intimidation tactics at all. If he'd actually shoved Vettel into the pitwall and caused a multiple shunt, well then that would've been different.

gachjoel · 26 Sep 2010, 20:23 (Ref:2765072)

Strange,
vettel has been doing it all season when he is on pole.
strange how come a thread started when Alonso done it

mattt · 26 Sep 2010, 20:28 (Ref:2765077)

He also tried to do it at Monza by shoving Button almost onto the grass

But its the normal so its fair does really

gachjoel · 26 Sep 2010, 20:33 (Ref:2765079)

and i guess it comes under the ruling...
you can move across once to defend your position, then back to the racin line

Steven Humphrey · 26 Sep 2010, 20:52 (Ref:2765084)

And this is what happens when it goes wrong-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0NA...layer_embedded

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