Did Massa run wide from kerb when duelling with Jens?

[John S]

In this vid at 10 to 11 secs in Massa seems to run over kerb & cone, is that why he then pushed Jenson wide as they were battling for next turn?    It certainly explains why there was no space for Jenson causing him to take the slip road. Seeing this again it is hard to fully blame Jens, a coming together was the only other real outcome as Massa appears to take all the road space as they get towards the corner. What's anyone else's view? Sorry about foreign commentary.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/videos/873/button-cuts-chicane-when-passing-massa-australia-2011/

[Scott]

No question in my mind - I don't even have to look at the replay.  I don't for a second blame Jenson for taking the slip road.  Problem is, he came out ahead, and refused to give back the place.  That was the only thing Jenson did wrong.  They would have crashed badly if he hadn't bailed to the slip road.

Massa was probably all flustered because Ferrari were telling him to move over for Alonso on radio channel 'b' at the time.   

[Ian]

Ferrari would'nt do that would they Scott. 

[cosworth151]

I saw a replay from overhead right after it happened. It looked to me like Massa pushed Button. Button's problem after that was letting Massa by without Alonso getting by, too.

[David]

What? So the guy can't defend? Button was over zealous in his attempt IMO.

[Scott]

What? So the guy can't defend? Button was over zealous in his attempt IMO.

I think so too...

[Jericoke]

No question in my mind - I don't even have to look at the replay.  I don't for a second blame Jenson for taking the slip road.  Problem is, he came out ahead, and refused to give back the place.  That was the only thing Jenson did wrong.  They would have crashed badly if he hadn't bailed to the slip road.

Massa was probably all flustered because Ferrari were telling him to move over for Alonso on radio channel 'b' at the time.   

I agree.  Button was right to run wide for safety, but he gained a spot, and he's got to give it back.

[Andy B]

We have had this in the past and I though that if you were in front entering the corner it was yours? But you also have to remember that Lewis passed Kimi I think in similar circumstances and was penaised even though he gave the place back it was maybe a no win no win situation?

[Cam]

They were side by side through turn 11 but I doubt either of them would have made it through 12 if they had both tried , so it was a safe decision by Button to use the escape road. 

But he should have given the position back as he couldnt have completed the move without using the escape road.  Buttons problem was that Alonso got past Massa as Massa struggled to make 12 and so he would have had to let Alonso past as well as Massa.

Did Massa move over on Button to force him off the road? Without the escape road Button would have had nowehere to go, and would have ridden the marbles straight into Massa's sidepod.  Was Massa quick thinking enough to know JB would use the escape road and then have to yield the place back?  Proabably I reckon.

JB would have had better finish if he had yielded so it was a dumb decision not to, no matter how righteous he might have felt about having his nose in front or Massa forcing him off the road, at best it was only ever going to be classed as a racing incident.

[Jericoke]

They were side by side through turn 11 but I doubt either of them would have made it through 12 if they had both tried , so it was a safe decision by Button to use the escape road. 

But he should have given the position back as he couldnt have completed the move without using the escape road.  Buttons problem was that Alonso got past Massa as Massa struggled to make 12 and so he would have had to let Alonso past as well as Massa.

Did Massa move over on Button to force him off the road? Without the escape road Button would have had nowehere to go, and would have ridden the marbles straight into Massa's sidepod.  Was Massa quick thinking enough to know JB would use the escape road and then have to yield the place back?  Proabably I reckon.

JB would have had better finish if he had yielded so it was a dumb decision not to, no matter how righteous he might have felt about having his nose in front or Massa forcing him off the road, at best it was only ever going to be classed as a racing incident.

The FIA will need to clarify what to do in this scenario.  The drivers cannot try to figure this out on the fly, so the teams need to be able to communicate right away.  Or let the marshalls address the drivers directly.