Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisD
I don't think it was a conspiracy, in-fact, has anyone on this thread suggested that it was?
You're right, there was an expressed preference by the teams to complete the race under green flag conditions, but that doesn't override the rules. In AFL or NRL no-one is happy with a draw at full time, but you wouldn't like the ref. ignoring the rules of the game so you get a winner.
As for red flagging the race, the rules state:
If Competitors or officials are placed in immediate physical danger by cars running on the track,
and the clerk of the course deems circumstances are such that the track cannot be negotiated
safely, even behind the safety car, the race will be suspended.
Clearly, the red flag is only to be used if it is unsafe for cars to circulate even under the safety car. You cant use the red flag just to give the fans a good finish.
Chris
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The Race Director and officials can decide if things are unsafe or not and experienced enough that they don't need it codified by rules to be sure - they can use their discretion. If there is debris on the track which can cause punctures AND nearly half the width of the track is obscured by a car sideways on the track, then that's not so ideal,
as an understatement. That car has to be maneuvered or craned off the track. They are all dangerous obstacles even in an inert state, as in the terrible case of the death of Jules Bianchi may years ago on colliding with the recovery crane which was still on side of the track clearing a previous accident. Different circumstances, but it all stemmed from responding to/cleaning up after another car. My suggestion centered around safety. Despite that it would also have allowed 4-5 laps of racing, tyre change for those that needed it and I feel a less controversial result, given the fact that the drivers would have had more time and opportunities to attack and counterattack rather than just 1 lap.
Of course opinions differ.
Best
JA