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Drivers' agreement not to overtake

Started by Kuwashima , Sep 16 2001 11:17

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7 replies to this topic

#1 Kuwashima

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Posted 16 September 2001 - 11:17

I just heard about the current F1 drivers' 'gentleman's agreement' not to pass each other at the Monza chicanes (at least on the opening lap).

Now my own personal opinion is that, despite the tragic incidents in the US and the horrific accident of Alessandro Zanardi, such an agreement is preposterous: you are either out there racing and overtaking 100%, or you shouldn't be out there at all.

However, quite apart from this pact (to which interestingly there was a lone dissenter) furthering the appearance that modern F1 is nothing but an uninteresting procession - I am wondering if there is any historical, shall we say nostalgic, precedent for this, either in F1 or in other motorsport??

:confused:

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#2 tonicco

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Posted 16 September 2001 - 13:44

Originally posted by Kuwashima
(to which interestingly there was a lone dissenter)


I heard it was JV. Any confirmation on this?

And I do fully agree with you, Kuwashima.

#3 LittleChris

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Posted 16 September 2001 - 14:27

It was JV. He was interviewed by ITV after the race & re-iterated his position quite forcefully.

#4 Barry Boor

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Posted 16 September 2001 - 15:24

Perhaps one of the older hands should take Jenson Button quietly to one side and explain to him the difference between overtaking and utter stupidity!

O.T. WELL DONE JUAN PABLO - at last, a small piece of good news! :)

#5 Rob G

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Posted 16 September 2001 - 15:27

I believe there were a few examples of this many years ago, but I'm not sure. I do seem to remember reading something about a narrow bridge at Donington in the thirties. Am I just making that up, or was that in fact true?

#6 Barry Boor

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Posted 16 September 2001 - 15:40

The bridge at Donington is still there. It is now on the outside access road midway between the Old Hairpin and McLeans. In fact, the bridge that the cars go under on the modern track is a continuation of the bridge in question.

And yes, there was no overtaking there; but then given the width of the arch, I think that would have been a physical impossibility anyway - agreement or no!

#7 Leif Snellman

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Posted 17 September 2001 - 06:57

Originally posted by Barry Boor
Perhaps one of the older hands should take Jenson Button quietly to one side and explain to him the difference between overtaking and utter stupidity!

Or show him a video of Monza 1978!

#8 William Dale Jr

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Posted 17 September 2001 - 07:21

The one occasion that I remember such an agreement was during the NASCAR support races at the Gold Coast Indycar race in 1993.

The NASCAR races on the Gold Coast were run over ten laps, and starting in 1992, laps run under caution were not counted. In 1992, there were a series of accidents at the first chicane that resulted in the red flag being shown after only five laps.

When the NASCARs returned in 1993, the drivers (or perhaps the officials, I really don't know) decided that they would ease their way into single file away from the rolling start, maintaining single file and the slow speed until they reached the back straight, from which point they could go for it.
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