F1: WRC: - Realview

MOTOGP >>> ASSEN
TYRED AND
EMOTIONAL
It’s par for the course for riders to blame everything
on their tyres. When all are using the same control
tyres, this means a guaranteed whipping for the
suppliers, if for no other reason than you can’t
please everybody.
Bridgestone knew this from the start. By and large,
the company has floated above it. Their tyres are, again
by and large, consistent and predictable, and they have
managed to respond to the requests of the riders (eg:
for better warm-up performance) at the same time as
fulfilling the requirements of the organisers.
Until their latest softer front tyre, liked by all except
the two factory Honda riders Stoner and Pedrosa,
whose complaints are regular and vehement.
The road has got rougher over the last two races.
After Silverstone at least two riders had serious tyre
problems – Stoner and Spies. At Assen, the problems
were more numerous and more serious. Again Spies
fell victim, but not just to chatter and tyre slides. This
time the tyre was flying apart in great chunks ... one
hit his leg. With three laps left he soldiered on, albeit
terrified.
The same thing happened to Rossi, with ten laps left.
Tyre flying to bits. He stopped for a tyre change, it was
so bad.
Now it is not just the Honda pair feeling somewhat
queasy about the latest softer-construction 2012 tyres,
both front and rear. There are fears that the flex and
squish contributes to excessive heat build-up.. Spies in
particular mentioned his concerns at the forthcoming
Mugello race, in potentially hot conditions with a
340km/h straight.
Bridgestone have some bridges to rebuild to restore
confidence. The next two weeks will show how long
that is going to take.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Fellow-riders were, almost to a man, more than ready
to condemn Bautista for his first-corner indiscretion. So
too was Race Direction. They promptly penalised him
with a back-of-the-grid start for the next GP.
Naturally, this was highly controversial; as naturally
Bautista’s team protested. It was over-ruled by the FIM
Stewards, and their decision (says the document) is final.
The complaining carried on, in the motorhomes and
hospitality units of the paddock.
Crash victim Lorenzo was understandably the most vocal:
“For me it was a big disaster. Alvaro was completely out
of control. All the other riders were braking and he had full
throttle. It was like a PlayStation move, but by a five-year-old,
not a world champion.
“I am more disappointed by the decision of Race Direction.
It’s not fair. In 2005 I was penalised by one race for a move
much less risky. John Hopkins for the same move also one
race penalty. And it’s not the first time Alvaro did this.
“If Race Direction keep not acting with a hard hand, then
we might have another bad situation. Losing 25 points is
bad, but health is more important. I could easily have an
ankle or a leg broken.”
Not everyone was quite so critical, Rossi was one of
several who thought the penalty well-earned but reasonable.
But the “unfair” call is not without foundation. On the
same day in the Moto3 race, Sandro Cortese made a
number of rough moves, including banging right into Red
Bull KTM team-mate Danny Kent while they were disputing
the lead. It was surprising that Kent didn’t crash. It is not the
first time this year the German has been accused of rough
riding.
His penalty Nothing. And as long as these arbitrary
decisions and widely varying penalties persist, the whole
system is wide open to criticism.
It is time for new Race Director Mike Webb to formalise a
protocol, to introduce a clearly defined Yellow Card/Red Card
system, in the interests of all.
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