Liuzzi handed Singapore grid-penalty

Scott Webber · Sep 11, 2011

Liuzzi has been handed a 5 grid penalty when he qualifies at the Singapore GP, for his extremely poor start and being very stupid to overtake on the grass, which led to him knocking 3 cars out of the Italy GP.

Here's the Article below.

Vitantonio Liuzzi will start the Singapore Grand Prix five places lower than he qualifies, though that will likely be last, after causing an accident on the opening lap of the Italian GP.

He also received a reprimand for causing the collision.

[ Read the rest at thef1times.co.uk - Click Here]

William Levesque · Sep 11, 2011

Sure... Ban him for a race instead, he took out more than 3 cars !

I mean, he always starts last anyway, so how is it relevant to give him a grid-penalty ?

David Jundt · Sep 11, 2011

One of the 3 was himself anyway... Yeah, ban him so HRT can start the campaign "Rent-a-Cool-Spot-here" and let Vergne, Bottas, Bortolotti or Bianchi drive:tongue:

Gary Lennon · Sep 11, 2011

Does that mean if he gets pole he will actually get bumped back to 6th?,that will be a bummer for him and the team....

Chris Jenkins · Sep 11, 2011

So basically the FIA have handed him an advantage, as now he might as well not show up for qualifying, not use any tyres and still have the same grid spot as he would've qualified in anyway. Only this time with more fresh tyres for the race. (New teams always burn a set of options in Q1)

The FIA should use a sense of perspective with teams at tieback of the grid. A fine would be more damaging.

Ramon Alonso · Sep 12, 2011

Liuzzi is garbage. HRT should try to get another pay driver.

Kyle Puttifer · Sep 12, 2011

Chris Jenkins said:
So basically the FIA have handed him an advantage, as now he might as well not show up for qualifying, not use any tyres and still have the same grid spot as he would've qualified in anyway. Only this time with more fresh tyres for the race. (New teams always burn a set of options in Q1)

Just making sure he sets a good time in FP to get into the 107 window.

Luke McVicar · Sep 12, 2011

Ramon Alonso said:
Liuzzi is garbage. HRT should try to get another pay driver.

Im pretty sure liuzzi isn't a pay driver, because they wanted him for he's experience even though Ricciardo is probably equal if not faster already and he's a pay driver from red bull.

Chris Jenkins · Sep 12, 2011

Kyle Puttifer said:
Just making sure he sets a good time in FP to get into the 107 window.

Other than the first race of the season, the 107% rule has been redundant.
D'Ambrosio was outside 107% in Canada and they still let him race.

I think they should make this a strict rule, regardless of who you are.
With 2 or 3 appeals per season.

For example, Webber/Alonso/Hamilton, etc crashes in FP3 and can't take part in qualifying and doesn't set a time. 107% rule is enforced, but the team can use one of their 3 appeals.

Or Liuzzi qualifies last, outside the 107% rule for the first 3 races of the season. Uses all of his appeals to be able to start the race. On race 4 he qualifies outside the 107% rule again. Tough luck, hit the showers.

Make it more of a rule rather than a pointless page in the regulations.

Xosé Estrada · Sep 12, 2011

The accident similar type than the Vettel - Button one at Spa 2010, he lost the car while overtaking and went into other car.

I can't see the relation with 107% rule as he was actually faster in the start, he just went into the grass (like Alonso or Vettel did) and lost it.

Thomas Dougherty · Sep 12, 2011

So now he's going to start from 29th position?

Chris Jenkins · Sep 12, 2011

Xosé Estrada said:
I can't see the relation with 107% rule as he was actually faster in the start, he just went into the grass (like Alonso or Vettel did) and lost it.

We were just discussing whether there's any point in him taking part in qualifying.

Adam Eggbeer · Sep 12, 2011

I think the 107% rule is fine as is. All drivers need to prove they can get their car within that time and occasionally some unexpected circumstances means that they fail to do it in Q1. The rule is there to stop cars that are ridiculously off the pace (ie HRT @ Australia) and not to disadvantage the ones that have a bit of bad luck.

For Liuzzi, he still needs to do a time within the 107% and he may as well take part in Quali as he's only going to lose 1 set of tyres and still have plenty of fresh sets for the race.

Chris Jenkins · Sep 12, 2011

If I was him, I'd just put in the best possible times in practice sessions with the tyres he has to give back then just put in a banker lap on prime tyres in Qualy.