See Merc are launching a right to review type appeal. We’ll see, but I suspect the steward’s original decision will stand.
On topic of the above video; first corner, in wet, between team mates, is always going to be viewed differently.
Any number of off road shenanigans go on in the first lap (for example Alonso’s rather marvellous exploitation of this a few races back) and unless clearly and deliberately punchy (like Senna v Prost would be viewed now) it usually ends up being classed as a ‘First Lap’ incident and is allowed to slide.
The racing line is irrelevant when two cars are fighting for the lead. The leading driver is only interested in preventing the other driver from overtaking, NOT getting around the track as fast as possible.
However.
Looking at the location of the tyre marks in the frame below, Max obviously followed the racing line during Hamilton’s attempted pass. IE off track.
Todays Daily Mail says that Mercedes are considering appealing for retrospective action against Max/Red Bull for Sundays incident.
I suspect Lewis would have been more than happy for an ‘on the spot’ penalty when the incident occurred but will not want to be associated with the actions of his team long after the event. He will want to stand or fall by actions on the track & not later in the board rooms.
Didn’t see it on Channel 4 highlights but the paper did publish a photo of a Lewis & Max handshake (well, Covid fist bump) after the race & Max was smiling. Would like to think Lewis was as well but he had his helmet on.
I would like to see a final 3, hard fought & clean, races without any boardroom rancour hanging over the results.
I am calling it right now: LH will win the championship. I am sick of seeing him and Mercedes win, but they will win again.
The Mercedes will be better on the remaining circuits I believe, so LH will be ahead of Max. It will be a close points finish, but I expect LH to win by a small margin.
Sigh.
You could be right but F1 cars are very complex things and it only needs a puncture in last few laps or something to turn things on head. It is not over until the grand dame steps up to the mic as they say
Were I in Merc’s shoes, I’d progress things (as they seem to be), as the FIA/stewards need to act with consistency and, as Toto sees it perhaps/primarily, fairness.
5-second penalties have been dished-out on other tracks to various drivers for much less significant incidents (esp. at Red Bull Ring) and while there appears to be a ‘let them race’ diktat, the FIA/stewards cannot ignore the usual rules of engagement, noting LH will have the most to lose if he contacts another car.
I suspect Merc aren’t looking for a penalty, more a ruling on future acceptable conduct i.e. if something similar happens again, it will be penalised.
This should avoid any boardroom bunfights - you’d hope!
So far, I think the incidents between LH & MV sit at 1-1 (vis Silverstone & Monza - although I would argue that the latter was (more) egregious - YMMV).
It would be such a shame if this season descends in to off-track bunfights and is decided by (highly) questionable on-track incidents during the last 3 races.
This said, the FIA/F1 stewards appear, not for the first time given their previous leanings towards Ferrari, seem to be the masters of double-speak and uneven application of the rules. The application of ‘soft’ penalties sits at odds with the ‘let them race’ pronouncement, the latter of course sponsored by RBR.
Had Mazespin run off the track on Sunday like MV did, I’d bet he would have been clobbered with a penalty.
I still think it’s advantage Red Bull. Obviously we’ll know after this weekend if Mercedes prodigious straight line pace continues. If LH wins then yes fight is back on. I fear something will happen like a dnf or crash that decides things which would be a shame
I did notice on C4’s commentary (whizzed through it late last night) a mention that the new engine LH had fitted gives a decent performance boost but that soon drops off, so he may have had the best of it already; maybe the gap will reduce this weekend.
Noticeable too that the C4 commentary duo were both pushing the let them race mantra, citing the correct argument that no-one wants to see the title decided by stewards, esp in that very specific situation.
Just seen that the stewards have said they aren’t going to review the incident where Max (1) unfortunately couldn’t keep it within the lines but it was just hard racing (2) deliberately forced Lewis off the track and joined him off track
As Leclerc said, fat chance of overtaking on the outside now then. All the driver on the inside line has to do is keep the wheel straight and turn in at the outside kerb rather than on the apex. Job done!
Yes, but their sponsors won’t give them money unless they agree to cover the cars in corporate logos. You’ll have to lump that, or stop watching, I’m afraid.
