[Qexit]

Well done Lewis Great drive under challenging conditions. No question today about his skills behind the wheel in the wet after this

The person I'm happiest for though is Rubens Barichello. With the poor performance of the Honda for so long I doubt he ever expected to be stood on the podium ever again

[Silent Bob]

Had a brilliant time at the British GP - you can't beat being there as opposed to in front of a TV.

Have uploaded some pics to my gallery
HERE.

The original pics are 10megapixels and really do some of the shots justice.

I'll try and post them up elsewhere if anyone is interested and a site like Flicker can handle the sizes.

[wilko]

Originally Posted by Silent Bob

Had a brilliant time at the British GP - you can't beat being there as opposed to in front of a TV.

Have uploaded some pics to my gallery
HERE.

The original pics are 10megapixels and really do some of the shots justice.

I'll try and post them up elsewhere if anyone is interested and a site like Flicker can handle the sizes.

Hey, that gallery is really cool! I didn't realise it existed.

Must be new with vBulletin 3.7

[wilko]

Looks like you had a cracking time SB.

[Silent Bob]

Another farce descends on F1 and yet again it's to Ferrari''s advantage to keep the Championship going to the wire.

Questions have to be asked whether the sport is being played out on a levelling playing field and whether it is now actually corrupt.

The incidient this revolves around can be argued back with the similarities in the stewards decision to penalise Kovalainen.

In cutting the chicane Hamilton avoided an "avoidable accident", if not he would have damaged his car irrevocably - hardly gaining an advantage. He backed off - let Raikkonen past and then overtook him at the next corner.

The two penalties contradict each other - one for causing an accident and one for avoiding one.

This decision should be reversed on appeal or McClaren should consider boycotting the rest of the season and the TV audience should turn off.

[JB5]

I must admit, this decision does nothing to dispel the theory that the FIA is in Ferrari's pocket, although Ferrari claim they did NOT instigate the enquiry.

I believe that McClaren ARE appealing the decision and hopefully sense will prevail.

Otherwise I'm not sure what hope there is for the sport.

[Qexit]

I think there is a standing request from Ferrari that any infringement by McClaren is always investigated and then punished to the maximum extent of the rules

McClaren may not be allowed to appeal the penalty though due to the existing rules. The penalty deemed appropriate was a drive through but as the race was already complete it was implemented as a 25 second penalty. The rules do not allow teams to contest/appeal against drive-through penalties

Definitely a case of dual standards after Massa got away with a slap on the wrists for a dangerous incident in the pit lane a couple of races ago.

This was a great race that I really enjoyed watching, particularly during the closing few laps when things got really interesting when the rain came. Shame the Stewards felt it necessary to take the shine off it.

[Silent Bob]

The rain may have created a barn storming finish but it's ultimately to blame for creating this farce. Without it Lewis would have been in a much stronger position.

What it does show is Lewis is a born winner not prepared to settle for second best.

[jas]

I`m not a massive Lewis Hamilton fan but the penalty was totally unjustified, Hamilton skipped the chicane but immediately yielded and gave Raikkonen back the place. Pretty much every driver in the field has done this at one time or another with no penalty, so why now.

Still want Kubica to win the title though

[JB5]

It ultimately doesn't matter if you're a fan of one driver or another, for me the BIG problem here is that the rules do not appear to be applied equally/fairly to ALL drivers.

There are apparently some requests for there to be a permanent team of stewards who travel to each GP. (Although I guess in that case, accusations that stewards become friendly with drivers they see each race, and give decisions accordingly, could arise!)

Of course the stewards have full access to the telemetry, so MAYBE they see something we don't?
Though from past experience the McClaren is faster than the Ferrari in the wet.
Hamilton yielded after being forced off the track and rejoining in front, was SLOWER at the speed trap, but outbraked Kimi at the end of the straight.

The reports seem to suggest that Hamilton didn't yield "enough" to Kimi!
I wonder how much they would consider enough!

IF this decision plays a pivotal role in deciding this years championship, I think that the sport will suffer as a result.
(Pivotal in terms of points, it must already have affected McClaren's morale/resolve one way or the other.)

Great, exciting race - spoiled by the subsequent fallout!