Dodgy penalty decisions regarding gearboxes

http://m.gpupdate.ne...lty-for-alonso/

This whole grid drop thing is ruining race weekends. Especially when one can have a penalty and another doesn't get one...

Edited by SkorbiF1, 08 September 2012 - 10:30.

If I understand Autosport article correctly, a gearbox can be changed before the qualifying without a penalty, if the unit has already been used for five events.

Which apparently has been the case for Alonso, and does not apply to Di Resta.

As far as the FIA are concerned Friday practice sessions don't count towards the race weekend. Alonso had his problems with old gearboxes/engines on Friday. Don't get me wrong I love to get involved in a good old fashioned Alonso/Ferrari/FIA conspiracy, but this one ain't one.

Edited by Disgrace, 02 October 2012 - 15:06.

The only thing I can think of is a decent fine, something that if accumulated would reach the level of points lost in WCC standings anyway. It's a step away from point-blank taking points away.

I'm sick of interventionist penalties as it is, but when was the last time the qualifying session even remotely resembled how they line up on Sunday? I have to say my interest in qualifying is dwindling, I skip Q1 now, even if the format is great. The tyre rules, the nature of the tyres, trigger-happy race control with the SC and penalties make it increasingly meaningless.

The teams turn up with cars that may or may not suit tyres on certain tracks, they might as well make qualifying a lottery as the entire weekend form guide is.

The gearbox rules should be similar to the engine rules.

The gearbox rules should be similar to the engine rules.

I don't like the idea of punishing the driver for something out of his control.
I'd rather a system whereby the driver can do the race as normal and score WDC points as normal, but his car would be ineligable to score WCC points at that meeting.
Though coming 11th woud not give the team 1 point, as you simply have the cars in their order, and if the driver comes 6th, he gets 8 points, but the team gets 0 instead of 8 and those below score 6,4,2 and 1 as normal.

The gearbox rules should be similar to the engine rules.

Edited by sharo, 02 October 2012 - 16:39.

If you look back at the season, qualifying has a very strong correlation to race results, just like any other year.

As far as penalties go, a 5 place grid penalty isn't the end of the world. Its much better than having it blow during the race itself. A fine doesn't make sense as that defeats the purpose of 'cost saving'. The best thing for a team to do is to build a reliable gearbox. Its not like its impossible. Its only been Button and Webber of the top guys that have had a grid penalty for this, right?

Is it just me or have this year been more gearbox failures, thus highlighting the rules?

If indeed gearbox failures have been more frequently, then there's the question what do teams different to previous years?

this silly rule should go, it would have been more productive if instead of grid drops they would impose a fine on the team, with money donated to some named charity.

Edited by AlexS, 02 October 2012 - 18:40.

Is it just me or have this year been more gearbox failures, thus highlighting the rules?

If indeed gearbox failures have been more frequently, then there's the question what do teams different to previous years?

Is it just me or have this year been more gearbox failures, thus highlighting the rules?

If indeed gearbox failures have been more frequently, then there's the question what do teams different to previous years?

This is the first year that gearboxes had to last five races. Last year is was four.

Edited by Tonka, 02 October 2012 - 20:35.

Cost saving? In F1? What a joke.
These penalties are ruining the GPs

Edited by Olly F1, 02 October 2012 - 21:21.

Cost saving? Then why make it so teams build new cars every few years when the regs change?

How much does a gearbox cost (in financial terms?)

I have said this many times here too. The most logical approach. They changed the engine rules which also resulted in 10 grid places penalty, but did not touch the GB rules. But that's how FIA and TWG work - slowly, painfully and lagging behind. And absolutely unsystematic.

Edit: wrong quote

Cost saving? Then why make it so teams build new cars every few years when the regs change?

Now Button suffers a gearbox penalty, these engine and gearbox change regs really need a major re-think.

The teams build new cars every year. Even several a year some time ago. Incorporating a larger fuel tank or making the front wing a few inches wider isn't that much of a substantial change, is it?

Cost saving? Then why make it so teams build new cars every few years when the regs change?