The dumbest rule in F1!!!

[neutral]

It's unclear why the 'stationary car' argument is ritually offered as a mitigating factor, as it's patent nonsense. The cars are separated by eight metres on the grid. Crawling forward before the start reduces this regulatory distance advantage for the car in front, and should rightly be punished. Otherwise, what would prevent the second-placed car on the grid from easing forward until he was level with the pole-sitter, and then stopping just before the lights go out? Apart from the eight-metre distance infringement, a jump-starting car is a severe distraction to the other drivers, at the very moment when nerves are stretched to bow-string tension. So why did everybody try to justify Mika's jump start? He himself thought it was harsh. I beleive this is one rule where there can be no exceptions. If a car creeps 1cm over his line then it should result in a penalty - no questions asked!!

[LYM]

I thought mika was treated harshly at Sepang. Sure rules are rules but they are faulty ones. Mika did move a bit when the redlights came on but his car was not moving when the red lights went off.

Should FIA classify the penalties into 5 and 10 secs?

[KC]

The rules allow for a car to move as long as two requirements are met.

1. The car may not be in motion when the lights go green. It must be stationary.

2. The car may not move past position line on the track.

As Mika appeared to have been stationary at the change of lights and did not not appear to have crossed his position line he should not have been penalized, but also the rules allow the stewards a lot of leeway in judgement, so he was penalized.

[neutral]

I just want to know how someone can start right on the edge of their start line, then jump the start and still be behind their start line. Mika clearly moved past the line.

[montoya]

Hi!

Mika jumped the start by a long way!! Go to
http://www.formula-1.co.uk and check out the thread MS jumpstart goes unpunished!! There is a clear photo taken from the start which shows him half a metre over the line!

Seeya!

[neutral]

I cant find the thread montoya. Would you mind just pasting it on your thread so the whole forum can see. Thanks!!

[downforce]

ditto!

[Tris]

I think this is the photo Montoya is speaking of.

[downforce]

oh yeah, cracking shot of Mika cracking!!
Danke Tris.

[neutral]

I thought the picture would have contained the red lights. This could just be a picture taken once the race had started. However, if this was before the lights had gone out then both Shui and Hakk deserve a penalty. There should be no leniancy on this issue. by the way, I think if Shui jumped the start there would be all sorts of squabbles coming from the Mclaren camp.

[Dhru]

I think that the lines indicate where the front tyres should be, not the front wing. In that case Michael is in positon and Hakinen is way in front.
Dhru.

[downforce]

Yep Neutral!
The wheels of the Ferrari are perfecto within the rules...the Mclaren's arent

[neutral]

Well if it is that clear that Mika jumped the start, why was he and everybody else claiming harsh treatment? The penalty was just, and suggestions to the contrary are just absurd.