FIA to investigate Monza Q3 tactics

  • Published on 07 Sep 2019 17:48
  • comments 10
  • By: Richard Fletcher

The FIA has announced that they will be investigating the final lap of Qualifying.  All the drivers except for McLaren's Carlos Sainz Jr failed to make it to the start line before the session ended for a final lap.

The drivers were all attempting to gain an advantage by getting a tow from the slipstream of the driver in front of them. However, none of the drivers wanted to be at the front of the train that built up.

Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg left the track at the first chicane to try and get out of position but the following cars of slowed down to make sure that he remained in position at the front of the pack.

Unfortunately, the drivers made a miscalculation by slowing down as much as they did and as a result, all bar Carlos Sainz Jr failed to make it to the start line in time to put in a final fast lap which left Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in pole with the time he set earlier in the session.

 Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described the situation as "everybody looked like idiots" and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said that the final lap was a "clusterf**k".

Wolff also asked; "Have you ever seen anything like that? That was not even worthy of a junior formula. The problem is that everyone is trying to get the slipstream and it's a nerve game of who exits first.

"Going through the chicane outside of the track is just junior class and then everybody just looked like idiots. Hulkenberg going through the chicane then other cars reducing their speed. Not worthy of Formula 1".

 

I'm not sure what I feel about the whole tow thing. On one hand: great, the teams can get additional boosts by drafting on their team mate. On another: meh, you willingly use one lamb as a sacrificial goat to get the other driver through, or alternatively try to rely on the tactic that "someone e... [Read more]

  • 2
  • Sep 7 2019 - 20:32

Replies (10)

Login to reply
  • I'm not sure what I feel about the whole tow thing. On one hand: great, the teams can get additional boosts by drafting on their team mate. On another: meh, you willingly use one lamb as a sacrificial goat to get the other driver through, or alternatively try to rely on the tactic that "someone else will pull the trigger first". We saw the culmination of the latter this round.

    • + 2
    • Sep 7 2019 - 20:32
    • abhidbgt

      Posts: 283

      I believe the teams have two drivers, decide beforehand and go with that. Asking for a double tow is too much and that is what creates the mess.

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2019 - 20:38
    • Tow’s are common in motorsports but the issues arise when it comes at the expense of the spectacle. This reminds me of the cycling events at the Olympics where there was a whole load of going as slowly as possible and then a quick burst of flat out pedalling. Poor for the fans but I doubt the Italians are going to complain when there is a red car in pole.

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2019 - 20:40
    • Absolutely, but the problem is that everyone wanted that tow, some from their own cars, others from other cars. Ferrari tried to tow Ferrari, while Merc' tried to tow Merc' and get tow from Ferrari, while RBH tried to get tow from someone, etc etc. I don't mind them using tow, and I'm sceptical to how one would go about ruling against it, but it got really silly today.

      As for Ferrari being on pole: great, but the difference to Merc' was very small. Methinks we'll have Hammy P1 tomorrow. :/

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2019 - 21:14
    • Anything that shakes the grid up usually results in something a bit more interesting so looking forward to seeing what happens.

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2019 - 21:49
    • abhidbgt

      Posts: 283

      I agree it looks set for a Mercedes win. They have made such a big deal of losing in the straights but I guess they were down by only 5-8 kmph which they were very easily able to make up on chicanes.

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2019 - 21:53
    • I'm predicting LeClercwill pull away out front and then Ferrari will screw it up on strategy

      • + 0
      • Sep 8 2019 - 06:54
    • abhidbgt

      Posts: 283

      If it turns out to be a wet race Mercedes would have the clear advantage.

      • + 0
      • Sep 8 2019 - 07:03
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Set penalty . .everybody to start at the back of the grid.

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2019 - 21:40
  • Dert38

    Posts: 377

    It was silly but actually cool )))))) Something you need sometimes, and this reminds on importance of the first lap in q3...

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2019 - 22:38

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 1,198
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 203
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Sep 1 1994 (30)
  • Place of b. Madrid, ES
  • Weight 66 kg
  • Length 1.78 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar