The FIA also revealed that race Stewards now have the option to move an entry back ten positions on the grid at the next Grand Prix should they chose to punish a particular driver. This rule comes into affect immediately.
As the above selection from a news article indicates – as of the next race in Brazil – the stewards can give a penalty to drivers in which they will start 10 positions behind their actual grid position in the following race. For Example – If Fisichella receives such a penalty in Brazil, at the next race in San Marino – If he clocks a fastest time in qualifying good enough for 8th position – he will have to start that race – 18th on the grid (10 positions back).
This rule greatly affects the way we play GTG.
Currently, Garth calculates the scores based on the qualifying list approved by the FIA at the end of the Qualifying hour. Put simply, any disqualifications or penalties that effect the grid after the Saturday Qulifying hour or on Sunday morning are not included.. For example, in the USA last year Mika Hakkinen was pushed back from 2nd to 4th on Sunday morning for going through a red light. Such an occurrence did not affected our GTG scoring as Garth calculated the score based on Mika being 2nd and NOT 4th.
However, this new rule presents the problem that the grid adjustments (-10 positions) will be made at the end of qualifying and thus affecting GTG scoring.
What Garth and I need to know is whether we should –
1. Score based on the real qualifying positions NOT including adjustments made due to penalties
Or
2. Score based on the FIA grid positions at the END OF QUALIFYING including all grid penalties.
Therefore Garth and Myself are posting this poll in order to give you, dear GTG players, the opportunity to select the option you most prefer. We will simply go with which ever option has the majority of votes by Sunday – BEFORE the race.
Regards
Gerry and Garth