The Start: Did Vettel Push Button Too Much?
by Adam Milleneuve on Oct 9th, 2011Temptation - it's a common human trait that we always want to push a button that we shouldn't push, but today in Japan, Vettel did push Button after the lights went out. Was it fair, harsh or did Vettel go too far to preserve his lead into turn one?
Here are the photos, stage by stage. Button had a better start, enough to cause Vettel to move across the track, into Jenson Button's line...
credit: sutton-images.com
...and then left only enough room for the McLaren with two wheels on the grass, as Hamilton moved to the other side...
credit: sutton-images.com
...and position himself to capitalise on his team mate easing off and nabbed 2nd position.
credit: sutton-images.com
Button had to relinquish and settle for third with Massa close behind in 4th...
credit: sutton-images.com
...as the rest of the field followed through turn one with no incidents
credit: sutton-images.com
The coverage on television showed a rather tense drivers room before heading to the podium with Jenson remarking to Sebastian "so that's how we're racing now is it" - the 2011 champion remained quiet.
What do we think folks? Fair?
Comments and Discussion
"Did Vettel Push Button Too Much?"
Nope. If he hadn't put the squeeze on then Jenson would've overtaken him. He gave Button the option of backing off and made it clear he was moving across before the McLaren got any overlap.
I was surprised it was even investigated.
Nope, why would Vettel just let him by? He made one move and Button wasn't even really alongside him.
It'd have been a shame if Vettel had just given up and not bothered to take the fight for the win.
Of course he went too far. What kind of "sport" is it to cover your mistake by endangering another competitor, and knowingly pushing them off the circuit. He's quick, but dangerously lacking in class when he's put under pressure.
It reminded me of many of his starts last season. The extra pressure of this race seems to have brought back the immature side of Vettel that we haven't seen this season, likewise his Dick Dastardly fist shake at the Virgin that frustrated him.
Good point (I think) made by @NicoHulkenberg (in the german SKY after race show)
“Starts like Vettel's happen all the time in the midfield! I don’t see anything wrong with it. A penalty would have been wrong.”
Massa should stay away from Vettel then.. haha jab!
Not a chance! At Monza Alonso made exactly the same move on Vettel and it wasn't even investigated, why was it today?
Max do you even have a brain of your own? after monza that's exactly what vettel said but if you watch the start of monza insted of just assuming what vettel said was golden it was the complete reverse, vettel pushed alonso onto the grass lol. Alonso allowed vettel to go on the grass to overtake him later in the race on the curve a grande NOT AT THE START. It was vettels choice to go onto that grass he said it himself lol.
I agree