Vettel's USGP pit lane start threat must be political surely?

[John S]

Grid drops next race like Pastor await, don't they?     

This year unused grid drop places for engine changes carry over so to me this is more about Red Bull and/or Vettel trying to pile pressure on about the engine regs, or rather lack of freedom on engine use and development. 

Does anyone have anymore info on why he, or his team, think he'll avoid penalties at other races with this odd strategy call? 

[Scott]

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/f1-vettel-expected-to-sit-out-qualifying-in-austin-101414

This is the only article I can find that offers more than a short sarcastic quote from Vettel, while there is nothing from the team about it.  I expect this is Vettel going a bit roguish, but in all likelihood if he doesn't think he can Q higher than 10th or so, then he may as well just skip Q as he says.  But like you say, if they skip Q completely, then their official grid place will be 22nd, so why would they think the penalty won't carry over to the next race?

I wonder if RBR does this and makes late changes to the car, that they are also going to push rule changes about what mechanical adjustments you can make to a car starting from the pit lane that isn't broken.

[Willy]

As he has already decided to leave RBR after this season and has no chance to win the WDC, he has also decided to throw his toys out of the pram once again.
Stop whining and earn the multi-millions you are being paid.
The rest of the world that works for a living (and by the way actually pays your salary) doesn't care about your tantrums.

This is another reason I dislike Vettle and have from the start as soon as his true nature was revealed.

[cosworth151]

"The rule is of course completely stupid."

I can't argue with that. Maybe his current situation just allows him to buck the Fools In Authority FIA and state the obvious. Just a case of the emperor's new clothes. It's about time somebody steps forward and says so.

"Maybe you can suggest a way that I can spend Saturday afternoon in Austin,"

Austin does have a great live music scene.

[Scott]

I have found Vettel easier to swallow this season - perhaps because he's been properly humbled by his teammate.  Less jerk-like. 

Personally I don't like grid penalties for engine allocations (and REALLY don't like the fact that they carry over to the next race, but only for engine penalties - why not for driver infractions then as well??), and why should the team pay if the engine supplier brings duds?  Send a fine to Renault instead.

[Irisado]

Grid penalties for changing any car part have always been daft in my opinion, and making them carry over is even worse.  If they want to cut costs, as I've said before, they should into other options.  Oh, and Ecclestone should pay the teams more.