I agree. It’s saying which items the clerk of the course can’t rule on without

Race Director approval.

It’s not saying the race director has carte blanche to make up whatever rules he wants about use of the safety car. It’s just saying any decision on it’s deployment or removal has to be agreed by the race director.

I think the stewards in their decision have left the door open because they effectively admit that Reg 48.12 wasn’t applied properly and that had it been, Hamilton would have won. Reg 48.12 allows for a “shortened race” by virtue of saying that if the safety car is still there last lap then they proceed to the finish in the same order.

No idea how independent this appeal panel is though.

Posted By: Jim, Dec 13, 07:47:55