Fantasy Scenario - you the F1 driver - what do you do?

[jj2728]

i don't get along with my teammate and i dont have a contract for next year....well my name isnt rubens, so to hell with him and the team....i go for the win. who wants a gutless wonder on their team anyhow?.....

[Dutton]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Team orders would be allowed in that scenario, I believe.

Well, according to the regs it shouldn't. It leaves no room for the distinction of different scenarios. It says no orders are allowed that effect the outcome of the race. So it shouldn't be allowed at any point.

Thankfully, it is all totally unworkable anyway and teams will order away whenever they want.

[crozier74]

I'm with Knowlesy and the rest of the "no way" club.

If he was close enough to make a pass, then I'd let him have the place if he went for it, and follow right on his tail to the end, perhaps feigning moves to prove a point. If he cracks up under the pressure in that situation then it's his fault not yours, so all the better.

But if he's far back and not gaining, fat chance. If he's not quick enough on the day, then tough luck sunshine.

Besides, sure there may be those "potential future employers" who would disagree with refusing team orders, but surely you would also gain at least some fans/sponsors/admirers in other teams for showing that you're a man with fighting spirit and a will to win.

Austria-gate was one of the top things that disgusted me in all of motorsport. If I was in the same situation, I wouldn't let it happen again.

[Jordi]

Basically, it'd depend if I had a contract or not for next year.

1) I have been contracted for another team - I'll win the race unless he really is better and passes me. And even then he'd have to go 'round the outside or something.
And I would still pressure the guy, but never to the point of contact.

2) I have yet to sign for some other team - I'd slow down dramatically in the last lap to give him the win, but to prove that I was the quicker man.

It is a team sport but bottom line is that a driver races for himself, you can't be too nice in F1.

[SetikX]

Depending on a few things;
a) How much time is there between your team mate, and the next driver? Is there a 10 second gap? 15? 3? If theres a 3 second gap, could the team lose the constructors if car 3 over takes me when I slow down?

Assuming theres a good gap distance, then go to b)

b) Who is fourth in the championship? is that person looking a threat? could he over take me and snatch third in the WDC from me if theres a problem in the slowing down?

Assuming theres a large enough gap in both seconds and points, I would try and run wide in a turn, allowing my team mate to take the inside line and over take. I wouldnt slow down, rather make it slightly easier for him to overtake.

[Boro]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

I'd let him through.

I'm employed by the team to help them win the title.

And showing myself to be petulant won't impress any potential new employers.

but in this scenario we don't know the constructor's championship standings. Furthermore, regardless of whether I let him by or not, the total points scored by the TEAM is equal in both scenarios.

If it was me, I'd say **** the teammate, i'm going for the win. If HE wants to win, come EARN it. That's assuming if he and I had no pre-race arrangements to begin with. If there was, then that's another story.

edit: furthermore, with only 90 points between the leader and myself, chances are that I COULD theoretically be the WDC if I had more wins / podium finishes than the current "leader"

way too close to give that up. I don't think even DC would move over in this situation

[Dutton]

As long as you accept you'd be breaching your contract, which means you would be unable to have much evidence behind you to convince employers in the future that you can defo be relied on.

Could have consequences.

[Boro]

Since team orders are illegal in the regs, I doubt it'll be written black and white in the contract

It's not like I pulled a Pironi, I'm just maintaining position. Not my fault that my teammate didn't earn the victory.

He who's fastest wins.

[Dutton]

The contract will just say the driver has to follow the instructions of the team. That would not NECESSARILY mean telling him to let his team-mate past.

[Boro]

If they can somehow calculate with 100% certainty that even with my 90 points that are tied with the current standings leader I have no way of winning the WDC, then I'll consider.

Otherwise, I want that crown as badly as he does.

[marcel82]

What team am I racing for? Ferrari? in that case I vote secret option number three: run both cars into each other, and let someone else take the win.


nah, just kidding, knowing myself I'd probably announce to go for it myself, but end up third in the championship... (Rubens-style)

[f1manoz]

Make sure I have a signed contract with another team, then stick two fingers up at the team for not re-signing me, stick one-finger up at my hated team-mate and win the race.

[Pitstop]

I'd let him through, I might not like it, but I'd do it.

I'd also get him to buy me dinner for the next month.

[jj2728]

upon further reflection, i wonder what alan jones would have done given the same circumstances...

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by jj2728

upon further reflection, i wonder what alan jones would have done given the same circumstances...

Good question, i'd also add the names Senna/Mansell/Prost/Piquet into this equation as there were alot of partnerships with in this 4, not to mention, no love lost between any of them

[gfm]

Good question Mr V.
The answer is, as so often in life, is ' do I have an alternative?'
If you have next year's contract confirmed and in your pocket, you're OK to take the win yourself.
If you haven't, your unlikely to drive for a top team ever again if you have shown yourself capable of not doing the right thing for the team.

[Dixie Flatline]

I would almost always take the win, regardless of the situation.

Grand Prix racing, in my view, is about winning, and it would seem to me hollow to drive my guts out for 70 laps only to pull over for a bloke who hasn't been as good as I have on the day. Further, regardless of whether I have a contract to race next season, this might be my only chance of going down in the record books as winning a Grand Prix - would I regret not taking the chance? Definitely.

[RWC]

Under the current stupid f1 rules where the WDC and WCC are intertwined and can't ever be totally seperated-
i'd let him past becasue it is the honourable thing to do for the team -it's a matter of right and wrong!
..... after putting in a blazing fastest lap

[maximus]

Hasn't it been like that since the late 50's?

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by Dixie Flatline

Further, regardless of whether I have a contract to race next season, this might be my only chance of going down in the record books as winning a Grand Prix - would I regret not taking the chance? Definitely.

I think the orginal question was assuming you have won Grands Prix before.

[Don K]

I assume my current team already has assigned their 2 drivers for next year.


1. If I do not have a contract for next year, I know I will probably lose the possibility go get any contract for next year if I win this race, so I will let my team-mate win.
And if there would be any doubt as to whether or not a team order would be allowed in this situation (and provided there's a sufficient gap with the driver in third place), I would probably use the team radio to tell my team I think I have a slight problem with the car, and *ask* whether I can come in to let them have a quick look. (This way my team would have proof beyond doubt that it was *not* a team order)


2. If I *do* have a contract for next year, and the team that contracted me happens to be the team that currently employs the championship leader, things are slightly more complicated.
If in this situation I would think that team orders would be illegal, I would probably try to win the race.
If in this situation I would think that team orders would be perfectly legal, I would probably let my team mate win the race. This would show my next employer, that I am a professional who will honour his contract under all circumstances.


3. If I do have a contract for next year for a *third team*, things are even more complicated.
For instance, if there would be some FIA rule saying that nobody was allowed to interfere with the two remaining WDC-competitors, that rule would in fact force me to let my team mate win ...

[mac]

Originally Posted by Russfeld

Team comes first.

I agree.

And the best way to endear yourself to another team is to show such an attitude.

[frederick]

I would probably move-over for the sake of appearances but only after asking......................"What's it worth to ya!"

and maybe .............."patch me through to the other team,..........what are they offering?"