Q: [ Hamilton said, "I messed up at the start as I didn't hit the switch early enough and therefore had not engaged the correct engine setting, and the anti stall kicked in." I thought that was banned. Looks like McLaren need another 50 Million fine. -Des ] I read this at planet F1, do you think mclaren should be fined ? Source: http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3263_3396268,00.html
A: There are still several engine maps that allow drivers to either turn up the revs, for when they are pushing hard OR starting, or to lower them for saving the engine towards the end of the race... These can only be changed once every 90 seconds, to try and halt teams getting around the lack of launch control... so Lewis had got the wrong setting and couldn't change it because of the time constraints of both the start, and the 'deadlines' on choosing engine maps... anti-stall is still allowed... So no McLaren aren't cheating... as the whole grid makes use of these systems... They all choose a start map, and then have to put up with it for the first lap before changing to their own strategic maps... Edit: Rosbif I thought of all the people here you'd be aware of the current use of engine maps and the time system they're on!!! lol