Frank Rizzo
7th May 2003, 09:46 AM
OK there's been a lot of discussion, and mainly slating of Matt for the 1st race incident.
I was up at Paddock Hill Grandstand, so a not bad view, although it was the other side of the track. My inital reaction was that there was no way he should have tried the move, as he was a good car length, maybe 2, behind Paul as they came through Surtees. It looked very much like a desperate lunge that was only going to end one way, and would need another car there to act as his brakes.
Having watched the replay on Motors TV last night, and seen the angle from behind, I've changed my mind.
By his own admission, Paul says he had slowed too much, and you can see he brakes earlier and more than needed as he gets to Mclaren. Bearing in mind that this is the final lap/chance to make a lunge, Matt seized the chance and went for it, as Paul HAD started to get wide in the corner.
Paul tried to close the door, but Matt was committed by then. I really do think it was a racing accident, against my 1st opinion at the track. Paul was also naive to put himself into sucha vulnerable position, and should have realised that Matt would bite his hand off if he left any kind of gap. He could have at least have fought him round the outside if he had stayed wide.
I know that plenty of you will disagree with this, but the rear camera ciew shows this quite clearly.
I was up at Paddock Hill Grandstand, so a not bad view, although it was the other side of the track. My inital reaction was that there was no way he should have tried the move, as he was a good car length, maybe 2, behind Paul as they came through Surtees. It looked very much like a desperate lunge that was only going to end one way, and would need another car there to act as his brakes.
Having watched the replay on Motors TV last night, and seen the angle from behind, I've changed my mind.
By his own admission, Paul says he had slowed too much, and you can see he brakes earlier and more than needed as he gets to Mclaren. Bearing in mind that this is the final lap/chance to make a lunge, Matt seized the chance and went for it, as Paul HAD started to get wide in the corner.
Paul tried to close the door, but Matt was committed by then. I really do think it was a racing accident, against my 1st opinion at the track. Paul was also naive to put himself into sucha vulnerable position, and should have realised that Matt would bite his hand off if he left any kind of gap. He could have at least have fought him round the outside if he had stayed wide.
I know that plenty of you will disagree with this, but the rear camera ciew shows this quite clearly.