Brazilian GP - have your say... the response.

The Brazilian Grand Prix at the weekend was a strange affair, and while some of you loved it, others were a lot less impressed. We at Crash.net wanted to know what you, the reader thought and here then, are your responses...


"Personally I think race stewards made the correct decision in starting the race under the safety car. But I think the rule on one wet tyre is a joke. Sure teams like Minardi and Jordan need to save money, but when drivers safety is an issue no amount of money should be spared.

"Also I am all for the rules that Formula 1 has, but surely some common sense needs to come into play. Giancarlo Fisichella was in lead the lead once the red flag had been brought out. He didn't get into the lead as a result of any crash. He cleanly passed Kimi [Raikkonen] and I think he should've been awarded the victory.

"Finally, I have a question for anybody that reads this, If Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso hadn't had the accident who would've won the race? I was of the opinion that Kimi had to pit again and so did Giancarlo, so that leaves Alonso the victor, who definitely didn't have to stop again. All in all I think it was a crazy race and it shows me how fantastic this F1 season will be."
Daniel Tobin (21) - Australia.

"I think there needs to be a review of the rules because how someone can crash thus stopping the race and still claim third place is beyond me. I'm fairly new to F1 but is this generally regarded as a fair rule? None of the commentators seemed to mention anything about it."
Joe Allister (23) - Wales.

"These guys in F1 earn serious money and I am sure they are pleased to earn that money in whatever the conditions after all they are the "best" drivers in the world, if the condition is bad drive accordingly!"
Rod Underwood (39) - UK.

"I saw no problem with running the race Sunday. But they need to change the new rules regarding wet tyres. In that sort of bad weather, the teams should be free to change tyres before the race if they feel it's necessary, as drivers' safety is far more important than cost. Bad weather alone equalises everyone, including the top runners, so no-one's going to have an unfair advantage by changing tyres.

"Also since torrential rain is predictable in Brazil at this time of year, then the track owners should be penalised for the lack of proper run-offs for excess water. They're as much to blame for the accidents, which would have been reduced if the track had been properly constructed."
Susan A. Woolley - Britain.

"Crashes are a fundamental part of the motorsports - though sometimes totally awful as it was in Suzuka in the case of Daijiro Katoh. It was sad. But the crashes were, let's say, ordinary everyday happenings in the old days in the motorsports. And those stewards are there exactly to decide when it's too dangerous to race. Yesterday in Brazil they worked well with the space car and stopped the race when the conditions were too heavy. The Sao Paolo GP was interesting as the race leadership changed so many times etc. And Fisi drove fantastically and so too did Kimi."
Ile Ruohonen (40) - Finland.

"I thought that the Brazilian GP was the best I have ever seen. Its unpredictability was unlike anything I have seen in the sport. With hindsight, however, we can say this because no-one was seriously hurt. The shenanigans on turn 3 and the final crash could have easily caused some fatalities. Alonso's crash could have been avoided if the red flag had been waved as soon as Webber had hit the wall - and the breakdown as to the rules of the sport should be ironed out - some team bosses were talking like they had never even read the rules! The race was excellent entertainment and unlike many past years, I finally look forward to the F1 season again."
Michelle McMahon (17) - England.

"What real purpose does the pace car serve? To me it spoilt the whole race. F1 cars are now safer than at any other time. Wet racing separates the men from the boys. If the track is too wet, then the race should be stopped, but bringing on the pace car and slowing down the competitors just spoils the race and offers unfair advantage to the slower cars.

"Finally, when will David Coulthard stop whinging? He was beaten by a much better driver, yet he says he should have won..."
Hamad Lone (45) - UK.

"The crashes only highlighted the poor design of the Brazilian circuit. The layout is great but most normal roads have better drainage for the surrounding land! The FIA and teams should hold the circuit accountable for so much damage. I also question the marshals and organisers lack of ability to slow cars approaching the debris of Mark Webber's Jaguar! Just another yellow flag would not highlight the danger."
Shaun Addy (39) - Britain.

"Having time to cool down and reflect on this result I have to say I feel it was very unfair to have this confusion for Giancarlo Fisichella and the Jordan team.

"I am a huge fan of Giancarlo and I think you can imagine how I was feeling when I thought he had won the race and straight afterwards when he hadn't. The 'countback' rule seems to be stupid after all you need to know the race leader on the current lap not 1 or 2 or 3 laps previously.

"I don't really agree with this rule but its in place and the rule book is clear for everyone. So now Giancarlo Fisichella, Jordan F1 and all the Fisico fans have to continue waiting for his first Grand Prix win. You have to admit that having Giancarlo Fisichella win the race would certainly make people think that Formula One has changed for the better and even an underdog team can make it to the top this year."
Sarah Saunders (18) - Britain.


"I do not find any crashes entertaining. I think the race should have been postponed or even cancelled because it was too dangerous for the drivers to race under such severe conditions and Michael Schumacher's crash proves it - just a couple of metres and he might have been killed by a tractor.

"I guess the FIA should think twice next time. I'm 100 per cent sure that it was a mistake to force the tyre manufacturers to opt for only one type of wet tyre in advance of the race. It is racing it is not killing drivers.

"We all have seen that some people, like Kimi Raikonnen feel fine about it - and he feels that he can jump on the podium while one of the drivers is taken to hospital. This race was shameful."
Olga Kalmikova (23) - Russia.

"While the finish was not exactly the way you want to see the race end, the rules are the rules. I really feel for EJ and Fisi. The tyre rule - i.e. two compounds per race per manufacturer is absurd, but they should know that in Sao Paulo when it rains it pours and they should have brought wets rather than intermediates.

"Say what you will though, the new qualification procedure is great!"
Mark R. Manuszewski (46) - USA.

"How can we, in this day and age have a GP at a track with rivers running across it? Surely some thing could be done to prevent this?

"It would be interesting to know what Alonso's speed was when he hit the wreckage, it looked like he had not slowed for the yellow flags like some of the other drivers. For sure it is ridiculous for the teams not to be able to fit whatever tyres the conditions demand.

"For the general public for sure it was a spectacle, but for F1 enthusiasts it was a bore with the safety car out so much. F1 lost out by giving the win to Raikkonen."
Neil McRobert (44) - British.

"I feel cheated of the real result. We all know that a race result can change at any stage. Stopping a race before the end should mean that nobody wins as nobody completed it. My heart goes out to DC, who in my opinion would of won had the race been completed in full."
Tina - UK.

"The new qualifying format has lost the excitement and thrill it use to have. It appears F1 is now a lesser Formula. F1 NASCAR?

"Fisi won the race, fair and square.

"In this day and age, why is there not adequate water runoff on a modern F1 track? There should have been a 1-hour standard rain delay, especially in such monsoon conditions. The rain let up, but due to the runoff, there was a major safety concern for the drivers, as we all witnessed.

"The new rules are terrible, as teams should be allowed to do whatever they wish to their cars between qualifying, and the race. This is not the F1! Bring back F1!"
Armand DeGenova.

"Bernie's focus on changing rules seems to have taken his focus away from racing. Someone must decide if F1 is a racing organization first, followed by the politics of the rules required for successful operation OR is F1 a political organization that sponsors racing on the side. Brazil was an example that Bernie wants a political organization that pays limited attention to what really happens on race day and cares little about the "show".

"My impression of the race was that it was too dangerous to race on Sunday and that Eddie Jordan was robbed of a what was left of the victory on this doomed day. Thank God nobody died."
Bryan Trammell (39) - USA.

"Well, I hope Bernie is happy. With all the tricks and adjustments he's scrambled the "circus" like an omelette. And now he plays with driver safety. It was unconscionable to start Sunday's race without full wets and a chance to adjust more than the rear wing in the 15 minutes before start, but no, it's good for the show to have 50 per cent of the field out because of the conditions and points awarded to 80 per cent of the finishers.

"Qualifying is now a joke (how do you compare Alonso's pole to Senna's achievements?), the parc ferme rules decrease strategic options, and in the end, I don't feel as if racing achievement is rewarded. McLaren may well have the quickest package this year, but who'd know? Wouldn't it be ironic if McLaren won every race this year and Bernie had to change the rules again to penalize success?

"Here's one thing I'm thankful for with the regulations: despite the horrific shunts in Sunday's race, every driver walked away (at least mostly!) thanks to the protection of the FIA mandated crash structure. Three cheers to all the engineers who built them!"
Joseph L. De Rocco.

"Sorry people, but what a farce the Brazilian GP was. To tell tyre manufacturers they can only choose one type of wet tyre BEFORE the race is a big mistake. Drivers can't put better gripping tyres on when the conditions require it, and they are the one's in the firing line. The amount of people spinning off because of the weather, knowing with the proper tyres they would probably have been ok, must really cheese them off. How many thousands of pounds worth of damage was done to the cars? How many injuries could have been avoided by a tyre change?

"Yesterdays GP was the first I have watched since 2000, as it was becoming a procession with all the overtaking coming in the pit lane. Yesterday's race was a joke, with people's lives being put at risk to please the people at the top. Where have all the gravel traps gone from the circuit? There was a big change in safety after Ayrton Senna was killed, but they've forgotten about that, and gone back to the old way of thinking.

"All the changes made lately, were being put forward as ways to make the racing more exciting/enjoyable for the fans, but they have failed miserably. To say I was unimpressed is an understatement, and consequently I'll stick with my Motorcycle racing, far more exciting, and better racing all round. Will I be watching anymore GP's this season, not a cat in hells chance."
Dave Muckle-Kent - England.

"The FIA went out of its way to make things more "interesting" for fans. Starting a race under Safety Car, sending the Safety Car out at every opportunity (rather than local yellows), and stopping a race and declaring a winner who's mistakes should have cost him a win is anything but interesting. A race where the first place finisher stood second on the podium, the declared winner was passed because of his own mistakes, and the third place finisher was absent from the podium and present on a gurney is no way for a motor sport to operate. Let them race! This isn't NASCAR! - these gentleman can and should be allowed to race in the rain. This race was more of a disaster to the sport than any of Ferrari's shenanigans in 2002."
Jonathan Matas (27) - USA.

"F1 is supposed to be the very cutting edge of motorsport, and yet at the Brazilian GP over the weekend viewers witnessed probably the biggest embarrassment the sport could possibly imagine. Both tyre companies elected to take intermediate tyres to the race, even though there was much speculation about it being a wet race. This in turn has been brought about by the 'cost cutting' of only allowing one wet tyre choice being available, this appears was pushed through by Michelin as they did not have a competitive wet tyre set up. I was under the impression all teams had to agree to rule changes? - but it seems that the under performing Michelin supplier got its own way in the end.

"On the subject of rules changes, it is clearly obvious that these tyre rule changes are very much a cause of some very severe accidents. Why does the FIA keep pushing through changes likes the HANS device to make it safer for the drivers, then take away any safety gain by limiting any work done on the car between qualifying and the race and also restrict the choice of tyres?

"I have been a fan of F1 for many years, supporting many drivers, Mansell, Hill, Irvine, Schumacher, but this season is only three races gone, and already I'm getting bored. It's not about racing anymore, its becoming more like a lottery with each race. The qualifying is dull, and doesn't have the last minute excitement of the old system where the likes of Montoya, Schumacher and Coulthard made a last minute all out attempt for pole position.

"Bernie and Max need to revert to the old system, and also allow the drivers a choice between wet weather tyres. This needs to be rectified very urgently, if it isn't then how long do we wait until someone is killed by not having the correct tyres?

"Finally - how on earth did they manage to rob Giancarlo Fisichella of the win? Martin Brundle read out the rules covering all scenarios of a race being red flagged and at no point was there any mention of the being a count back system being used. Ok fair enough take the positions at the end of the last full lap completed but why on earth did Max & Bernie make it three?

"Wake up Max and Bernie if anyone is going to make F1 dull, then its you two with stupid and unsafe rule changes."
Jason Garbutt (31) - England.

"We are three races into the 2003 season and already it is better than last season. Just think, if the point scoring system hadn't changed, Michael Schumacher would only have four points. The amazing crashes at Interlagos were sensational, and really added an element of excitement to the race, up until the point Fernando Alonso was injured by his crash, which ended the race.

"Mark Webber drove a fantastic race, and even managed to recover his car after spinning at turn 3, which no one else accomplished. It was an enormous shame to see Giancarlo Fisichella finish second after driving so well, but this season already has been a massive improvement on last season.

"It was very enjoyable to see big-head Michael Schumacher smash his car into the wall, and it was nice to see Da Matta finishing on his home turf. Barrichello must win next year, or finish for that matter, next year."
Jon (15) - UK.

"It was fantastic to see so many different battles for the lead throughout the race. Barrichello drove a fine race and I felt that he was the moral victor. He took is easy early on and then when the track suited his tyres he put the bit between his teeth. If anyone deserves to win in Brazil it is Rubens Barrichello.

"It was a shame that the race was stopped early as I believe that the Bridgestone intermediate tyres would have had a huge advantage over the Michelins over the remaining laps. Villeneuve and Fisichella gave evidence of this just before the race was stopped. I certainly don't think that Coulthard had the race in the bag as he claims he did and I wished he'd think a little more about issues before he gives his opinions. I think many people are getting tired of his moans now!

"One more point on the constant qualifying debate. If some people think that the qualifying is less interesting in the new format, doesn't the fact that the race, (the bit that really counts!!) is now likely to be more exciting because of it, make up for it? I think the one-lap format is fantastic, but agree that the fuel issue takes a lot away from it, but we've just had three amazing races partly helped by these new regulations."
Stuart Collin (23) - England.

"What a strange race! This season so far has been anything but predictable and this race took F1 to another level of strangeness. First, I would like to know why Alonso was going so quickly around that corner. Were there no yellow flags? If that would have happened a minute earlier, Mark Webber could have also been seriously injured.

"As for the results of the race, the pass that was made on Raikkonen was clean and fair and at a time when the race was at full speed, no cautions were on the track. I would guess that the rule is in place because a team may feel that there is the possibility of a race being called for time or because of another issue and then one driver could go all out to get the lead in the last lap, knowing that the race will be called. I can also see that if there was oil on the track or other debris that caused one driver to overtake another at a key point only one lap from the race being called. That was not the case and I think that there must be something standing behind the rule to make it valid. Now, would I be saying this if it was the other way around? What if Kimi had passed Giancarlo one lap prior after Giancarlo had led the race for several laps? I don't know. I do think that some of my opinion is biased towards the thought of Jordan getting a victory and what that would mean for F1. Although Fisichella was not on the top step of the podium, he did show that he is a driver to be reckoned with and that Jordan really isn't that far away from being competitive."
Chris Bates (41) - USA.

"Wow. What a melee! I've seen many Grands Prix in as bad or worse wet conditions. I think the item that 'screams' here is a need to change the yire regulations so the teams can properly prepare for conditions. Yes, many drivers remained on the track to finish, but it diminished the exciting possibilities that 'could have been' had the cars been properly shod.

"As for the finish result, rules are rules, but in my mind Giancarlo won, as he made a brilliant pass to take the lead. A shame for him. At least Kimi is proving all the 'naysayers' wrong about his ability to race at the level of F1.

"Poor Rubens... I'm sure he walked away yesterday saying, "What does it take?" Don't despair - Ferrari aren't through yet. Let's see how the rest of the year unfolds when the F2003 GA hits the track..."
Tim Heird (40) - USA.


"Conditions were OK for a Formula 1 race under last year's rules but since teams were allowed only one type of rain tyre, safety was a concern and the teams could not properly race. This also takes away some of the strategy of when to change from full wet to intermediate.

"Teams must be allowed to have more than one type rain tyre for the races. Full wets would made for a much better race during the early going. All the crashes were exciting, but there is always concern for drivers safety during a crash. Having all the crashes slows down the race and keeps the drivers from being able to run flat out.

"I would rather see a race where the drivers are able to challenge each other and if a crash results it is due to a driver mistake rather than being the result of the weather. When Michael can't keep a car on the track in the rain something is wrong."
Garry Carter (45) - USA.

"They should ban Interlagos, delete it from the calendar. Too dangerous, too overrated! And move the GP back to Rio de Janeiro."
Nelson Ricciardi.

"This was a very entertaining race to watch! It's a thrill to see a lot of the lesser-known drivers, out drive the big names by keeping their cars on the track under those conditions. Michael really is taking a battering (well deserved - he's too sure of himself)

"I don't really think that the wet weather tyres would have made much of a difference. There was only one part of the track that wasn't suited for the intermediate tyres. There should have been efforts made to block the drainage of that excess water onto the track. I'm sure it wouldn't have taken much to reduce it.

"The conditions are perfectly fine to race in. These drivers are meant to be the best in the world, they get paid millions, if they can't handle it give me a go!"
Brett Gooden (22) - Australia.

"We wanted excitement, we are getting excitement, but at the cost of safety? I think not. I had my doubts about the "single wet tyre" rule and surely the FIA have to take a long hard look at this rule. No team can save money by destroying a car rather than hauling multiple sets of tyres across the world, can they?"
Stevyn Matthews (29) - UK.


"I'll start by saying that I'm not a die hard Tifosi, I actually would rather see Montoya or Kimi win. However, on Sunday I was cheering for Rubens with everything I had. The excitement of him winning pole, and finally reclaiming the lead combined with the reaction of the crowd was electric. No offence to Giancarlo, but I think Rubens not going on to win the race is a little more tragic.

"Anyway, I do think the single wet tyre rule is ridiculous and this weekend did show why. BUT, I still have to agree with the FIA. None of these teams are rookies and this was not the first-ever Brazilian GP. Everybody knows that when it rains in Brazil it doesn't just sprinkle and that rivers run across the track in some sections. In the past it was one of the few places were the term "Monsoon tyre" could be commonplace for the entire race weekend. Did they all forget that? I think the rule is stupid and should be reversed immediately. But while it is in effect you have to maximize your opportunities for success according to it. I think it was short sighted not to expect weather conditions that were typical for the area.

"Given the circumstances, the FIA did a good job with the safety car. The recce laps gave the drivers and stewards a chance to see where the most difficult places would be. And the SC during the race was certainly necessary to adequately clean up after incidents. I had no problems with the safety car.

"I feel sorry for the entire Jordan team. They were the on-track winners at that point for sure. The image of Eddie standing in front of the team before the podium ceremony was just heartbreaking. They deserve every ounce of pride and celebration as if they were the official winners. Much as I hate to say it again, though, I have to agree with the FIA ruling because it was based on a long standing rule that all the teams agreed to. It was a by-the-book call that didn't open the Pandora's box of on the spot rules invention or interpretation. That would have only lead to controversy and publicity of the sort that the F1 paddock doesn't need. I know it's fashionable to paint the stewards as the bad guys that robbed Giancarlo of a victory, but the stewards didn't do anything that the teams themselves didn't agree to. Imagine if they had decided in Jordan's favour. Then the headlines would have been that the FIA stewards had blatantly disregarded it's own rules, the team's rules, thereby robbing Kimi of his second victory. Is that the headline anybody wants?

"It was another great race. Why? - because again, there is a reason to care and something to talk about in F1. Last season the only thing that was said between myself and other F1 watching friends was "Ya see the race? Some of it. You gonna watch the next one? Maybe." Well not this year. For better or for worse is yet to be determined, but at least the new rules make the sport worth paying attention to again."
Steven Huckaby (32) - USA.

"It was a very exciting race! All the crashes were entertaining as hell! If it continued until the end maybe only five cars would've finished! It was quite disappointing for the stewards to give the race to Kimi! Clearly he didn't deserve it! He made a mistake and was passed! Fishicella established his lead in the race. Be it only a lap and a half! What's with the 2-lap rule? Why not 1 lap?

"I also think there was a break down in communication with the flag situation at the end causing Alonso to crash! The track was horrible! Where was the clean up crew? Overall, the race kept me very entertained! You didn't know who was going slip or slide next! Hope it rains for the all races or maybe they can wet the tracks if its sunny. Maybe we can see a Minardi finish first for once!"
Joel P. Javan (35) - Philippines.

"The end of the race was not what we're expecting - but it was a good race despite the weather. Actually, those drivers were heroic. I was in Interlagos on Sunday and I can tell you something - that was not a rain, it was a deluge!

"Still, I think Ferrari cannot be written off. They once again have the fastest car. I do believe things will be quite different in San Marino. Hopefully the weather is going to be friendly next time as well."
Ed Senna (27) - Brazil.

"Sunday's race was a fiasco from start to finish. In my opinion, the victory should have gone to Fishicella. It was gifted to Kimi on the grounds of a senseless rule - no fault of Kimi's though.

"Race track conditions were definitely unsafe! The race should have been called off and the number of accidents and the number of times that the safety car came out confirm this.

"Sunday's event also underlined that the enforced new tyre regulations were implemented without giving safety the necessary thought. Yes, the overtaking manoeuvres were spectacular, but should driver safety be compromised for the spectacle? F1 is not about crashes, there are other disciplines for that.

"In my opinion the new qualifying system should be revised, especially parc ferme. To quote Ron Dennis: "Qualifying is about putting the fastest cars at the front and the slowest at the back." I personally find it boring watching the single lap qualifying when one has no idea how much fuel the cars have on board.

"F1 has become a showcase and is fast going to lose the interest of the true racing fan. I have been following F1 since 1977 and my interest in it is starting to wane for the first time now."
Burger Estelle (43) - South Africa.

"This race certainly shows that having only one type of wet tyre is a major safety issue. The FIA should allow one full wet and one intermediate type. Given that they only had intermediate tyres they should not have raced in those conditions."
Mike Szeller (40) - Canada.

"My thoughts on the Brazilian GP are that Giancarlo Fishichella should have won the race. I feel so bad for him and for the Jordan team. I don't agree that whoever is leading 2 laps prior to the race being stopped, should be the winner, whoever is leading at the time should be the winner.

"For the rain situation, those guys are professionals who make a lot of money, so they have to race in any weather conditions. The fans spend a lot of money to see the race and it's only once a year and they want to see racing no matter what the weather is like. Jacques Villeneuve said if the racers don't drive in the rain, they are a bunch of sissies!!! And he is absolutely correct. I thought I was watching a NASCAR race with the safety car coming out so many times. I thought the crashes were entertaining (but without anyone getting hurt of course) and it was the most exciting GP I've seen in a while!!! GO FERRARI!!!"
Pat DiBenedetto (40) - Italy.

"I think that this race is the best that I have seen since I started watching F1."
Craig Porter (23) - USA.

Crash.net would like to thank all those people that replied to our "...have your say" story as without them this article would not be possible.
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