I have found a justification for Hamilton not getting a penalty for his first corner excursion. Stewards looked at telemetry and found Lewis braked at same point as normal (must have looked at subsequent laps as start was only time full of fuel, or maybe not?). I guess he braked with similar pressure as well. The lockup was caused by a glazed brake disc, so as 'it wasn't lewis's fault' no penalty!!!! How much I believe that I don't know. The reason Max was penalised towards the end was that it was 'driver error' he braked too late to make the corner, so it was Max's decision when he braked and he was wrong! As for Max vs Nico on first lap well to me that was a close call, I would say that Max made a mistake. So if the reason he received a penalty at teh end was that it was his mistake then he should have received a penalty for the first corner indecent. To me Bernie and Co want the championship to go to the last race and will do everything in their power to assist that while trying to 'look' like they are not interfering.
Hamilton has stated since the race that he believes a glazed brake caused the lock up. We can't know for sure of course but to me it looked like an error under pressure with other cars breathing down his neck. Interesting that the stewards telemetry appears to back up the brake issue, if we believe that.
For better or for worse they've always tried to avoid too many penalties at the start. else they'd be punishing half the grid. I've also seen it said that Hamilton wasn't flat out over the grass whilst Verstappen was. There is also the issue of that Rosberg/Verstappen tangle meaning he probably wouldn't have lost position, whereas Vettel was right behind max when he rejoined. Honestly he comes across pretty well. Explains why he's a bit frustrated without reacting like little brother just broke his favourite action man.
I didn't think they even investigated it? Unless I missed it I thought only the Rosberg/Verstappen incident was under investigation.
To the lay person it would just look like a snatched brake under pressure. He didn't seem to brake much later than the others initally, but had to come off the brakes to try and release the lock up, so he just sailed on past the corner making it look like a late braking error.
Don't think there's much he said that can be disagreed with, all put across in a well structured point of view.
I do wonder if we could do a switcheroo, and it were Vettel that went off and ot were Hamilton that had gone on an effing and jeffing rant further down the field There was some communication between him and the team after the off. There was something like a 200° temp difference between the brakes.
Well of course that would be fine and Hamilton should be hanged for saying a naughty word. I'm telling teacher!
His glazed brake didn't seem to affect him while he waltzed off into the distance? I don't hold with these excuses for accidents or infringements (in general not Lewis specific) the driver is responsible for driving their car within both its and their capabilities. If you breach a regulation - end of chat. In this case the entry point from Lewis to the corner was nowhere near the racing line so it's pretty bloody obvious that braking in the same place isn't going to get around the corner. Reduced entry angle requires a larger braking distance - basic physics - and that's before you factor in the lack of grip on the inside. It's simply the powers that be trying to defend their inability to police a race fairly because of their over complicated regs.
Vettels behaviour was awful, in fact shocking. However, it shouldn't detract from the incompetent job being done by rule makers and the rule implementators.
its only a temporary issue. He had plenty of time to sort it under the safety car. Ultimately it was still his fault for not managing his brakes up to temp correctly on the warm up lap.
Some articles in papers claiming Seb is at risk from being banned from the Brazilian GP for his language. Seb will come back stronger, mounting pressure from Ferrari and fans. Not like we haven't had drivers in a bit of bother before. Time to move on.
I think a call to apologize and a nice bottle of scotch for Charlie might be in order to help smooth it all over.
I feel for him, so much pressure on his shoulders. And that 36 year old Kimi is outperforming him doesn't help. Bet he can't wait till winter testing.
I just don't think that would quite cut it to be honest. It's made a right scene across the world and for all the wrong reasons. Personal abuse towards a big name in the sport and that coming from a multiple world champion.
I think what it highlights more than anything is the lack of belief and respect there is for the way the sport is being run and the deluded belief from key individuals that they are helping the sport. I don't condone in any way what Seb has done, do I agree with his underlying attack on the sport...Yes. Respect is a two way street and has to be earned. A referee in any sport is only as good as their last game and their reputation precedes them...maybe that's something that should also be considered in this ugly event?
It's become one of those situations where someone in the FIA is going to have to say or do something. If nothing happens you just know this is going to be the story all over the Brazilian GP weekend. Other than excluding Vettel, if they punish Vettel that'll kind of be that. Now I don't really think he should be punished, out of the heat of the moment he's not the kind of guy to be like this, but sometimes you just have to react to a situation, if only to calm it down.
Why is it that series like WEC and WRC have consistent rules and clarity (also governed by the FIA), seem to run like a professional sport. But the so called pinnacle of motor sport is a laughing stock at the moment?
I've watched him mature since he started driving for RBR, and I never would have thought that at this age and in this position this would happen. In a way it would have been very advantageous for him to speak to Michael throughout these rough times for guidance, which isn't possible.
