F1 drivers clash with new race directors in Melbourne
Apr.10 - After a smooth start, Formula 1's new race directors are beginning to collide with the stars of the sport.
After Michael Masi's controversial ousting, some believe new co-directors Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas are trying to stamp their authority on the drivers.
In Australia, Sebastian Vettel was fined EUR 5000 for riding a scooter back to the pitlane after being stranded trackside following an incident.
"How do I feel about it? What do you think?" said the quadruple world champion.
"I'd like to know where this money will go."
Veteran correspondent Roger Benoit revealed in Blick newspaper that the drivers endured a particularly long pre-event briefing in Melbourne, in which the wearing of jewellery and fireproof underwear were discussed at length.
Lewis Hamilton said he intends to keep ignoring the rule about taking out his piercings.
"Since I've been here, it's been the rule, so there's nothing new," said the Mercedes driver. "I'm just going to come up with more jewellery next week."
Hamilton also slammed the FIA for obsessing about minute safety details but then not wearing surgical masks in the "longest briefing of my life".
"Some of the drivers were (wearing masks) but most of the FIA were not, which for me was uncomfortable," said the seven time world champion.
Benoit believes Hamilton, 37, even got into a "verbal argument" with race director Wittich.
As for the drivers being told that they need to wear fireproof underwear under their suits, Pierre Gasly says he is looking forward to the next scrutineering checks.
"If they want to control everything, absolutely everything, then go ahead.
"I have nothing to hide below. Nothing at all," the AlphaTauri driver smiled.
Daniel Ricciardo told Finland's MTV: "We wear tights, if you want to call them that, but we don't have any actual fireproof underwear, so it was a bit of a surprise.
"I've never heard of that but if it's safer then of course I'll have to get some."
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Well, that didn't take long. Now I know why they're rotating race control. Plausible deniability & the opportunity to change course weekly.
I volunteer you for the job Ror, i think an element of sarcasm would be wonderful in the role
Wasnt Lewis going to change his name? or was that just more bull
Nah, it would be a conflict of interest. I'm concentrating on cornering the nomex tidy whitey market. I'll be rich when the rule makes it to club racing.
Its a bit ingenious by the media to create a story here. THe journalists on the ground will know how fire protection actually works....
The protective equipment is not "fireproof"; its all about a delay before heat energy reaching the skin....
Cotton type underwear is fine; but things like nylon will melt underneath protective equipment within a few seconds of driver being exposed to fire (actually heat). And its very nasty injury; the nylon will basically melt into your skin; even though you're not burnt.
The same situation with jewelry, it will absorb the heat much faster than then itself will burn the driver; and continue after they escape the fire.
You are exactly correct! To say something is 'fireproof' is an anomaly, because everything will burn when subjected to enough heat and for a long enough exposure. Even things such as steel will melt and burn when subjected to enough heat, and masonry (bricks, stone, concrete) will spall and degrade. The correct term is 'fire resisting' or flame resistant' NOT 'fireproof'.
As far as flame resistant underwear is concerned, if it's not in the written rules of engagement, I would argue that the race directors cannot enforce it, only suggest the drivers wear it if they choose. The drivers are already required to wear flame resistant outerwear. Where is the evidence that flame resistant underwear is justified?
I believe the requirement is 4 layers of fire retardant material with a specified protection period. Policing cotton tidy whiteys or diapers seems like overkill. But then, gotta' fill that 1300 page rulebook. smh
Diapers or Nappies, talking of the rule book , is it available in different languages, if not expect Hamilton to jump on that next on his quest for fairness
Back to diapers or nappies, how the hell can two nations like ours have two completely different words for mind you with hood/bonnet and trunk/ boot I shouldn't be surprised at anything lol
Quick anecdote, Shrop'. Late 60's sitting in the living room with my mechanic, Charles Lucas and Roy Thomas trying to gain favor for a US Titan FF program. I had to pee and was embarrassed to ask for the bathroom or toilet. I knew the British word was loo but couldn't bring myself to use the word. Finally settled for lavatory which seemed neutral, and off I went. BTW, didn't get the deal. LOL
Maybe Ham can get more tace directors fired.
He will now lead GEM... Gold Ratings Matter, and coerce everyone immti wearing rings thru their noses and kneel before races with gold chains looped to the rings for solidarity against this atrocity.
Gold Ratings Matter...
LOL!!!
Damn spell checker.
Gold E A R I N G S Matter
Coffee was late today huh? Lol smh
I've said it before and I'll say it again, sir Lulu is ruining f1 seriously with continual whinging his latest stint is blaming his team for letting G, Russell get in front of him and then not being able to get the place back. How much longer do we f1 fans have to put up with childish whims. To all you Hammy fans admit it he must make you cringe.
Have to say , spotted that radio comment and briefly mentioned it on here, Hamster explained it away --something about his engine overing yeah right......
I tend to agree was a plain message to the team, Come on guys , your making me look bad infront of everyone IMO
Lewis is going a bit off the rails. Media should give him a break and not report anything he says or does. That way way he can deal with his “mental state”, jewelry issues or his latest upsets. He is turning into a diva and it is not very becoming.
Good way to deflect away the issue of him not regaining his Crown and being trounced by Prince George though.
George will beat him this season.
Bouncing along in gold plated, pierced underwear and all.
And don't forget Lulu's skirt.
And when is his name change?
When Indeed..
Turning into? He's been one for years!
What a name dropper you are Ror, good connection with that pair to a certain Mr Colin Chapman lol
Nah, back in the day we were all just racers and loving every minute. Honestly, there were no 'names' to drop.
Hey, lets ask Grosjean about what he thinks is appropriate attire in a fire? Or Ronnie Petersen, for that matter.
All this winging about how offended Dame Lucy is about removing her earrings. If I were Toto, I'd take a pair of pliers and rip them off.
Or fine the c__T $2mil for each race he shows up noncompliant.
Enough pandering to the entitled.
$2M /race fine.
Lewis can afford a while season of golden earings the. That'll show them!
GEM!
Ya' know, Swede, this could end up being interesting. Is this really the line in the sand that Lewie wants to draw? hmm
Rapper or racer, rapper or racer, what WILL he do?
There was a dude who put in an illegal access road to his property.
The Township declared it illegal and ordered it's removal. He refused. So the township came along with their excavator and dug it up and removed it.
Next day, the owner replaced the access road. The Township iterated it's position, and came by again and removed it a second time.
Well, the owner was a very wealthy person, and he kept replacing the access road until the Township burned their excavator budgetand simply gave up.
So, I wonder who has the deeper pockets, Dame Lucy or the FIA?