F1 Pick'em Monaco

[Craig.]

Well it seems the FIA have decided they were not willing to admit they screwed up by waving the green flags, and have handed Schumacher a 20 second penalty.
The green flags apparently mean nothing, and this whole safety car line thing needs to be scrapped.

[The Ruptured Duck]

LOL, hes had some issues with that corner in the past.  I suppose it didn't help that Damon Hill was the race driver in the stewards office!


Made my day.

[expat]

Well it seems the FIA have decided they were not willing to admit they screwed up by waving the green flags, and have handed Schumacher a 20 second penalty.
The green flags apparently mean nothing, and this whole safety car line thing needs to be scrapped.

Can't see that being the end of it all. I am as you know not a Shumy fan, but if the race ended behind the safety car..............where is the dam thing. Surly for the race to end behind it, the safety car must be on the track. Or is it one of those situations as in MSC winning by crossing the start finish line in the pits?? It does show though, Schumy has not lost that quick mind and reaction or (supposed) knowledge or the rules. I have to say I am on his side this time......as much as that grieves me

Matt

[Craig.]

The only thing that bothers me, is the FIA/ Stewards have basically stated, the flag/marshall system means nothing.
I'm not going to rattle off a load of motor-racing rules, but anyone from the casual fan to a club level motor racer, to Michael Schumacher, has a basic understanding of the flags and their meanings.
Regardless of whether its waved 2 miles, or 2 yards from the line, a green flag means, you are free to continue racing at a normal speed. The FIA in their infinate wisdom introduced a safety car line this year, in the case of Monaco this was at the pitlane entry line. This line means you are allowed to overtake from that point instead of waiting for start finish line.
A safety car will not be deployed on track where there is green flag racing, yellow flags and double waved yellows will be waved, and the SC board will be displayed to signal that a safety car is deployed. Where a safety car is not on track, the lead driver will under SC board and waved yellow instruction, lead the field round at a safe reduced pace, overtaking will not be permitted until, the track is clear and the green flag is waved.
Ok maybe some of the rules. 
I'm not angry because its Schumacher, hell its hardly much to be annoyed over losing 6th. I'm annoyed because someone has clearly screwed up in race control, and is punishing a team because they took advantage of a rule.

[expat]

I'm annoyed because someone has clearly screwed up in race control, and is punishing a team because they took advantage of a rule.

Re-interpiting the rules after an incident to fit what they want seems to be happening quite a lot for the last couple of years. That and so many rule changes, you need to have a lawyer stationed at every pit box

Matt