Heidfeld docked three grid places

[TheStig]

Nick Heidfeld has been given a three-place grid penalty for blocking Rubens Barrichello during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.

The BMW Sauber driver was demoted from sixth to ninth place after the stewards ruled that he had impeded Barrichello as he entered the pits during the first knockout session.

The Honda driver was on a quick lap when he came up behind Heidfeld’s BMW in the final corner, a quick left-hander, and had to lift and abort his lap.

The pit lane entry has attracted criticism because it gives drivers who are about to pit little option but to use the racing line at the apex of the corner – but the stewards nonetheless judged that Heidfeld was at fault.

They also handed Barrichello a 10,000 euro fine for diving into the pits after aborting his lap without using the ‘deceleration zone’ – ironically the same piece of racetrack Heidfeld had been occupying.

TheStig

[Ian]

More to blame is the moron who approved  pitlane entry and exit lanes on the racing line, what was Heidfeld supposed to, carry on and do another lap. Come to think of it, supposing a driver has to come in for a pitstop and every time he hits the pitlane another car appears behind him, does he have to carry on until he runs out of fuel. CRAZY.

[John S]

Leaving aside the question of the bad pit lane entry there is still inconsistency as blocking usually results in a bigger grid drop.

Heidfield saw no problem a few races ago when he accused another driver, who had no where to go, of impeding him. The other car went back six places, or more.

[Steven Roy]

Whoever signed off the safety certificate for this track should be shot.  The pit entry is dangerous.  The pit exit is dangerous.  The marshals are utterly incompetent.  So far they have had a few incident where they have had to remove one single more or less intact car and they have yet to beat 5 minutes.  Twice we have seen a driver sit in a car or wander along the track for more than 30 seconds with no marshals near hims.  I hope there is not a serious accident tomorrow because these clowns could kill someone. 

I keep hearing about Max's contribution to safety.  I still await any evidence.

[Alianora La Canta]

Charlie Whiting clearly missed a few things here. He was supposed to sign off on the safety stuff. Quite how the pit exit and entry, the tortoises and the inept marshalling was compatible with that is a mystery.

It was a good race despite the safety provision or lack thereof, not because of it.