[Rules] Hamilton 5 Place Penalty?

[Born Racer]

Whatever we think of the extremity of such a penalty, I disagree that the team/ constructor should be penalised and not the driver; after all, the driver is a part of the team and is intrinsically linked to the chassis he's driving. If a driver suffers a mechanical failure during the race, it's not just the team who might be losing points.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by garcon

Admittedly I find a good proportion of your posts borderline unintelligible, but this one has me completely lost.

Granted I'm ill and my brain is mush, so you'll have to try and explain it in words of one syllable...

FOTA proposed the current engine and gearbox regulations. The FIA merely agreed that they were a good idea and then rubber stamped them. The teams are fools unto themselves sometimes.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Mr V

I'm sure they must be able to change the ratios anyway? Otherwise, the second gearbox would be used at Monaco then Canada with the same ratios?

The technical regulations read that the car is allowed a maximum of 7 forward gears and a maximum of 30 ratios which must be declared before the season starts.
The sporting regulations then state that a gearbox will last 5 races.
I understood that the gearbox was to be sealed for the duration.
How are the ratios changed? In front of a FIA technical steward who reseals the box?

The next question is, if a ratio change is allowed why not design unitary layshafts that require all the components to be changed to facilitate a ratio change? Totally against the spirit, but would possibly provide the necessary slack to obviate the 5 place grid penalty.


P.S. The five place grid penalty does not appear all that draconian when compared to a Cucumber driving into the back of you or a Sausage leaving of the wheel nut in a pit stop. Motor racing is just hell isn't it!

[Marbot]

FIA sporting regulation 28.6 (a)

"Each driver may use no more than one gearbox for five consecutive Events in which his team competes. Should a driver use a replacement gearbox he will drop five places on the starting grid at that Event and an additional five places each time a further gearbox is used.
Any replacement gearbox must be fitted with the same gear ratios that were declared under (d) below and will only be required to complete the remainder of the Event in question. Any change to the gear ratios declared under (d) below will incur a further five grid place penalty. In either case a new five race sequence may start at the following Event."

FIA sporting regulation 28.6 (c)

"After consultation with the relevant team the FIA will attach seals to each gearbox in order to ensure that no moving parts, other than those specifically permitted under (d) below, can be rebuilt or replaced."


FIA sporting regulation 28.6 (d)

"At each Event seals may be broken once, under supervision and at any time prior to the second day of practice, for the sole purpose of changing gear ratios and dog rings (excluding final drives or reduction gears). Competitors must inform the FIA technical delegate which ratios they intend to fit no later than two hours after the end of P2.
However, one additional change of ratios and dog rings will be permitted if a gearbox change is necessary on the first day of practice before the end of P2.
Gear ratios and dog rings (excluding final drives or reduction gears) may also be changed under supervision for others of identical specification at any time during an Event provided the FIA technical delegate is satisfied there is evident physical damage to the parts in question and that such changes are not being carried out on a systematic basis."

[wnut]

Thanks for clarifying that Marbot. Great job!

No strategic benefit or need to change the gearbox.

[Bononi]

Absolutely fantastic !