Formula 1 - 2012 Season

[Kaotik]

Raikkonnen should not have been there, he had nothing to do in that position when he obviously saw that there is no enough space for him. He is at fault becaause he was desperate to be exactly there. And Fernando had the choice where to go because obviously he was the first passing through this exact part of the circuit and Kimi just tried to follow him.

Err, he was there before Fernando pushed him out, there WAS room until Fernando came there, he wasn't behind Alonso (meaning completely behind, they were rear wheel to front wheel), and he left all the room there was to leave, but Alonso decided to push him out from track regardless, just look the video you linked when it's from Massas perspective.

 

[Lightman]

There was simple rule introduced for situations exactly like Alonso/Raikkonen at Suzuka.

"any driver defending his position on a straight and before any braking area may use the full width of the track during his first move provided no significant portion of the car attempting to pass is alongside his. Whilst defending in this way the driver may not leave the track without justifiable reason."

To further clarify the situation he later added: "For the avoidance of doubt, if any part of the front wing of the car attempting to pass is alongside the rear wheel of the car in front this will be deemed to be a 'significant portion'."

Raikkonen had 'significant' part of his car alongside Alonso, so it was Alonso's job to leave enough space for car attempting overtake. Of course he didn't do it on purpose as he probably didn't expect Raikkonen to be this much quicker and alongside him at the first turn, but that doesn't change nothing. According to rules Raikkonen didn't do anything wrong. It would be wrong not to go for overtake, that is, I at least hope all of them in F1 are there for RACING and not processions