How much money have HRT blown on fines this year for silly mistakes? It must be getting on for a sizeable amount, as they have broken the procedures on a number of occasions and been hit with a fine as a result.
That tyre blanket just cost them $5,000, there was the unsafe release in Monza which lead to that mechanic being injured, for which they were fined $20,000, then Klien and Senna between them racked up around $3,200 in fines at Singapore for speeding in the pit lane during Q1. For a larger team like, say, Mclaren, who might pick up a fine for a procedural error (such as being fined $10,000 back in 2008, when Hamilton was sent out on a Friday practise session at Interlagos with the wrong set of tyres), that sort of penalty is pocket change. However, when you're a team like HRT, where your budget is only a few tens of millions, racking up several tens of thousands in fines is going to have a bigger effect.
On another note, it looks as if Webber is targeting this race to counter Vettel's recent surge in performance, as he has decided to use his eighth new engine this weekend.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87627Unlike most of the other teams (only Renault did the same thing), Webber decided to re-use an engine at Monza, instead of using a fresh engine (he used the same engine as Spa, where the repeated rain showers, slowing the pace down, and cooler air temperature would have reduced the stress on the engine). Vettel, however, will have to re-use an older engine (no details on which one he will use just yet), so he will be at a slight power disadvantage by comparison (not much - probably under 10bhp, depending on age and wear - but just a little bit).
[EDIT] It appears that, following feedback from the drivers after the opening practise sessions, that the organisers and the FIA are going to make a few alterations to the track. Firstly, the pit lane entry is to be modified so cars do not have to slow down so sharply in the final corner, especially after a few near collisions when it was unclear whether a driver was intending to pit or not.
In addition, the kerbs at Turn 16 will be raised to stop the car bottoming out, and at Turn 18, to stop the drivers cutting the corner and dragging debris across the track, as is the case at the moment.
http://en.espnf1.com/korea/motorsport/story/31817.htmlThat said, others might suggest that the drivers are encouraged to copy Hamilton through Turn 16 - he told reporters that he had avoided driving over the kerb in the first place so he wouldn't risk damaging the car...