Quote:
Originally Posted by E90SLAM
The stewards took the text of the rule and apply the appropriate penalty. By book, Vettel DID indeed rejoined the track in an unsafe manner.
But IMO, I do not think that was the spirit of the rule. The intent to make this rule was to penalize drivers who went off track and decide to rejoin the track in an unsafe manner. Especially the tarmac run-offs, not gravel nor grass. So the driver can still have control of the car and apply any brake or steering to rejoin safely.
When the Ferrari back steps out slightly and went on to the grass run-off. The car had lost quite a bit of control, and Vettel was fighting to regain control. Hamilton saw the opportunity and went for it, didn't think of how much the Ferrari was still under control. Vettel could've easily crashed into the wall, or even collect Hamilton with it!
By the rules, it was a penalty, although it was harsh IMO.
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What's happening in lesser racing series, around the world, cars were going off losing speed and returning onto the track at a crawl or spinning mud coated wheels while another car was arriving on the scene at top speed. And there were subsequently brutal crashes.
In some series at the start you can't make any passes until you pass the start/finish line, even if two cars tangle along the grid and a back car swerves around, they will penalize that car that swerved to avoid incident. So, that's how serious track stewards are with unsafe re-entry - and maybe that is why top tier drivers try not to scrub off too much speed when missing a chicane.