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Posts tagged with "stop"

Crashes, Stoppages and Accuracy

Attempting to discuss things about Monaco has proved a frustrating experience. I am accustomed to being in discussions and even arguments about contentious bits of the race. I am not accustomed to major events happening in a race with seemingly only me noticing. 

 

Firstly, the crash that caused the red flag. It has been established that it was a complicated mess, but what sparked it? I've seen blame put on several people, primarily Adrian Sutil. What none of those blaming Adrian seem to have noticed was that he took damage in a collision three laps earlier with Kamui Kobayashi. This is clearly demonstrated in Adrian suddenly falling into the clutches of the midfield pack that was in process of being lapped.

 

He was one second than usual on lap 65 (the lap of the pass - note that all lap numbers on the graph are transposed by one lap), became 3 seconds slower than usual on lap 66 (the lap after Kamui passed him) and 4 seconds slower than usual on laps 67 and 68. On laps 69 and 70, Adrian is 20 seconds a lap slower than usual - but both include pit stop time for replacing tyres. This indicates progressive damage. Given that Kobayashi hit the right rear tyre and it was this tyre that ended up in need of a replacement, it is perfectly reasonable to consider that a weakness in the tyre (underinflation from a slow puncture would be most likely) contributed to Adrian's crash.

 

I cannot begrudge Kamui his 5th because he was overdue one, but I do not feel that this exempts him from having his race properly analysed.

 

Secondly, the whole raft of complaints about being able to change tyres/wings/springs on the grid and Pastor Maldonado's removal from the results by Lewis Hamilton. While I see a point to the complaints about the Lewis/Pastor crash in particular, all three debates have missed the most important point - that Article 18 of the General Prescriptions prevented the restart from happening in the first place.

 

Article 18 of the General Prescriptions (link in PDF) has three cases concerning red flags. Initially I'd thought this was in the International Sporting Code, but it appears this particular rulebook also applies to every international racing series (Article 1). Article 18 describes mid-race stoppages using Cases A, Case B and Case C. These will be familiar to those who recall the contents of 2003-era F1 Sporting Regulations documents. For the people who haven't done so, the cases refer to when the red flag is flown and determine what happens thereafter.

 

Case A is for when the red flag flies within the first 2 laps. Basically, the race is treated as if it never began.

 

Case B is for when the red flag flies between 2 laps and 75%. The race is restarted on a 10-minute procedure when possible and the running resumes from the lap where it ended.

 

Case C is for when the red flag flies between 75% and the end of the race. The race result is called then and there. No restart is attempted even if it would be easy to do so. The race is deemed to have finished when the red flag flies, though there is a countback rule.

 

72 laps out of 78 is 92.307% of the race, which is considerably more than 75%. Clearly this is a Case C situation.

 

The inclusion of the General Prescriptions in the list of regulations applicable to F1 on the FIA's website means that the document must be taken seriously. Nonetheless, the General Prescriptions is overruled by the F1 Sporting Regulatoins and the International Sporting Code if there are contradictory clauses.

 

However, no such clauses exist in either document on the question of Case C restarts. There is nothing in either the International Sporting Code or the F1 Sporting Regulations that allows for a red flag beyond the 75% mark to be interpreted as anything other than the end of the race.

 

Even Article 41 of the F1 Sporting Regulations (the regulation most often cited as justifying the restart) doesn't do that because Article 18 of the General Prescriptions says the race ends when the red flag is flown in Case C situations. Article 41 doesn't mention anything about the definition of a red flag or end-of-race signal changing. Therefore a Case C situation falls under Article 43 (the regulations for finishing). The lack of mention of Cases A, B and C in the F1 Sporting Regulations (they was removed in 2005) does not suffice to negate the power of General Prescriptions Article 18. Article 1 of the General Prescriptions specifically says that precedence only applies in the case of contradictory regulations.

 

So a lot of the arguments of yesterday should have been null and void. There should have been no argument over tyre or wing changes because there shouldn't have been any laps in which to use them. Pastor and Lewis shouldn't have crashed because there shouldn't have been any time for them to crash in.

 

Pity the powers-that-be didn't care about their own regulations - again. Double pity that even people like Ted Kravitz (in BBC TV's coverage of the race (iPlayer link; expires 5 June 2011)) and Joe Saward presented Article 41 as if it was the only relevant item, even though it proved not to be especially relevant. When none of the people at the circuit appear to care, how can anyone else be expected to do so (other than stubborn people like me)?

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Say hello to my little friend... ...Meme

Date: November 19 2009

Currently: Reading F1 Racing (October 2009 edition)

Mood: Contemplative !:l

 

Warning! Long entry alert!

 

Nothing I saw in F1 today particularly inspired me, so I'm doing this 100-item meme I spotted in Laraine Creech's Facebook notes.

 

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET It?

I don't think I have got any scars.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?

One wall of wallpaper and three of bright yellow paint*. On the paint, there are nine bookshelves piled high with books, a big poster featuring a map of the Silverstone circuit dating from 2002 and a framed photograph of me and my two best friends from secondary school/sixth form.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOU SLEEP?

I don't snore or grind my teeth, but apparently I'm nearly as talkative during some parts of my sleep cycle as I am when I'm awake. Fortunately few people are in a position to find out first-hand.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?

Pop, rock, metal and selected tunes in other genres.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?

6:30pm. Apparently I took most of the day to turn up - I wasn't exactly in a rush to make an appearance in the world.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?

To finish this blog entry in an interesting way!

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?

I don't really understand this question...

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?

Difficult one. Among actual possessions, probably my PDA. But I try not to get too attached to particular items because everything is transient.

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?

1 metre, 72 centimetres.

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?

Not unless the space is stuffed full of people. If it's stuffed full of inanimate or slow-moving objects (or the space just wasn't very big in the first place), I'm fine because I know where the remaining space will be.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?

No.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?

My ex-supervisor, who thought that persistently shouting bad names at someone with sensitive ears was a good idea. Eventually, my ears (and brain) protested too loudly for resisting to work.

13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?

I'm not sure.

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?

I have absolutely no preference.

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING AT?

I have enough trouble seeing myself proposing in the first place...

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?

If I must have one, energy drink - I dislike the taste of the former and find the latter too sugary-tasting for anything except swimming galas (and even then I usually dilute it).

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?

Hawaiian (pineapple and ham).

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Ice cream.

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?

Blue. It is such an expressive colour...

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?

I've had goldfish in the pond before, but I left the job of eating them to the local heron.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?

When I was very small (I think I was four, but I might have been three), my great-grandparents gave me a knitted grey rabbit. It meant a lot to me because it was a tangible symbol of their love for me.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?

No. Never had one.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?

If I am, I don't know about it.

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?

Bon Marché. They seem to be one of the few brands that do clothing that feel practical and fit without looking ugly.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:

26

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES

Either.

32. FAVORITE QUOTE?

"Million-to-one chances occur nine times out of ten" - Terry Pratchett, "Guards! Guards!"

33. FAVORITE PLACE(s)?

My local library (and every other library I've ever visited), Sheffield College, Silverstone

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?

I've never been in the USA in the first place, but I've been to Switzerland, Belgium and France as well as the UK (where I live). The first two for swimming galas and the latter on a school trip.

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?


I am a creature of habit who can be somewhat inflexible, struggle with interpreting the world at times... ...and also is rather messy!

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?

Quite a few people. I've had autographs from Eddie Jordan, Matt Neal, David Coulthard, Allan McNish, Martin and Alex Brundle.

37. FIRST JOB?

Assistant librarian in a local-ish library.

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?

Only on Sims 2!

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?

No, but I think a significant minority have got a soulmate. The concept exists but some people are equally (or nearly-equally) compatible with multiple people and others aren't really compatible with anyone.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?

Looking through the F1 news on the internet, re-reading F1 Racing October 2009 in the process.

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?

No. Nearest I've had is having my head glued back together five weeks ago (what a way to fill a Sunday morning...)

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?

My writing.

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?

No.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?

A book (I'm not picky...)

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?

I don't know if I want kids at the moment, largely because I wouldn't have a clue how to bring them up if I had any. I have lots of potential names, but as yet no faces to attach them to...

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

My real middle names were also my mum's and grandma's middle names, but my first name wasn't named for anyone (apart from a religious figure - ironic since my parents aren't religious). My psuedonym's first name is from a book called "Dragonsbane" by Patricia C. Wrede - the character originally bearing that first name was a princess.

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?

I have no idea.

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKE(D) ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL**?

Learning stuff.

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?

Cheap supermarket shampoo, in the "anti-grease" category. "Anti-chlorine" and/or "anti-dandruff" are bonus features. I use a separate conditioner, which is typically the fanciest one in the local pound shop.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

I do - it's legible and fairly stylish in cursive format and cute in separated-letter format. Block capitals come out slightly strange, but never mind...

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Gammon.

52. ANY BAD HABITS?

Lots - disorganisation being perhaps my worst.

53. JEALOUS PERSON?

No.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

If I was someone else, being friends with myself would still be an automatic impulse, wouldn't it? Would make for an interesting philosophical question.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?

No. I have the aesthetic sense of a house brick.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?

Depends a lot on the circumstances...

58.WOULD YOU RATHER GAIN 58 POUNDS OR LOSE 58 Pounds?

Lose 58 pounds (but I wouldn't want to lose more than that).

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?

A red stuffed stegasaurus with a yellow tongue slightly sticking out and no eyes called Grinny. It's still my favourite toy.

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?

34.

62. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?

Barney was after my time. I watched lots of Sesame Street as a little kid though.

63. Do you use sarcasm?

Not very often, which catches people out a lot when I do deploy it.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?

Macaroni and cheese, though mashed potatoes are also nice.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY?

I don't.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?

My psuedonym's nicknames are "Alia" and "Ali". The former is my formal nickname while the latter is preferred by internetters with tired fingers.

67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER?

Telempathy.

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?

Formula 1 :)

69.WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?

Explain to them the error of their ways, roll the eyes if they don't get it, then vacate the area (unless they're doing something that needs stopping, in which case you stop it).

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?

Strawberry.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?

I have all the ones I was born with connected to my body at this moment and do not anticipate repositioning any of them in the near future.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?

The one I'm typing on, and at the moment my PDA (a mobile phone that pretends to be a computer) is in here being charged as well.

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?

Blogging (wikiing?) and catching up with my internet friends.

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?

In a cheap house somewhere quiet but well-connected.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?

Only the people who want to.

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

At this exact moment? Kelly Clarkson - a live version of "Beautiful Disaster".

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?

Orange-and-lemon squash.

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Someone from a local JobCentre referring a client to the organisation I'm placed at (which provides assistance to unemployed people),

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?

That they're there (usually).

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

Reading, swimming, various forms of computing and listening to music.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?

Prejudice.

82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?

Autumn. Somehow it seems to be the gentlest season, F1 increases in tempo and lots of new stuff starts in my personal life (for example, it's the start of academic years).

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?

Fairtrade orange-flavoured, spice-infused dark chocolate.

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?

Yes. Twice. The first one between nursery and sixth form and the second one during my university years.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?

Dark brown.

86. EYE COLOR?

The same shade of brown.

87. SHOE SIZE?

Size 7-9, depending on the make.

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?

Subway.

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

BB's in Sheffield (the Italian restaurant, not the coffee shop)

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?

I do, and I've eaten it a few times.

91. WATCH TV TODAY?

15 minutes of news, about an hour of music channels, plus most of Golden Balls (it happened to be on when I was visiting Grandma). Unusually high amount for me.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?

This changes every year. This year it was September 3 (with June 21 and January 10 being a close second and third), last year it was 21 June, the year before it was 12 June...

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?

I play the guitar, keyboard and recorder - none of them particularly well, but I can get a tune out of each of them. I prefer singing though.

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?

If I were American, I'd vote Democrat. As it is, I vote Labour in general elections because my constituency happens to have a brilliant MP right now who deserves support (among other things for not agreeing with his party on certain key topics) and Liberal Democrat otherwise.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?

Neither, unless it's a really unexpected special occasion or you've warned me first. In which case either is fine.

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?

Relationships. I don't see the point of one night stands.

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?

A packet of fruit Polos on Tuesday from the train station.

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSE WIFE?

No. I have absolutely no talent in that direction.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?

That should be a plural. I am reading "Making Time" by Steve Taylor downstairs, F1 Racing (October 2009 edition) and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J. K. Rowling upstairs and "Nightwings" by Robert Silverberg when I'm out. I usually have at least three books on the go simultaneously, due to my bookworm-like nature.

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE?

Easy. I don't have one and don't want one right now.

 

* - Believe it or not, this paint scheme was decided the year before I became a supporter of the extremely yellow-coloured Jordan team.

 

** - Sixth form is the nearest British equivalent to high school.

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