Lewis Hamilton's Belgian GP win was short-lived
Lewis Hamilton won yesterday’s Belgian Grand Prix – but two hours after the race, the stewards took his victory away under controversial circumstances.
The penalty hinged on Hamilton’s attempt to pass Kimi Raikkonen on lap 42. Raikkonen forced Hamilton off the track, meaning Hamilton had to let Raikkonen pass. He did this, but then re-passed Raikkonen at the next corner.
Hamilton penalty meant Felipe Massa inherited the win – Raikkonen crashed out on the penultimate lap. Should Massa have won?
The McLaren team has announed it will appeal the decision against Hamilton. F1′s governing body, the FIA, will hear the appeal at a hearing of the World Motor Sports’ Council, a date for which has not yet been set.
McLaren have had several run-ins with the sports governing body in the last 12 months. Before last year’s Belgian Grand Prix they were famously excluded from the constructors’ championship and fined $100m for alleging using confidential information belonging to Ferrari.
By appealing against Hamilton’s penalty they may risk getting an even stronger punishment.
Do you think Hamilton’s penalty should be overturned? Have your say in the comments below.
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The losers here are the fans Hamilton’s win was one of the most exciting I have seen in years and I walked away exhilarated, I am a not a Hamilton fan so was disappointed with the result but I do not want to see Ferrari win races in this manner, I like many other people I have spoken to will no longer follow the Grand Prix if this result stands, as I said the losers are the fans, interesting to see what Niki Lauder had to say on the matter!
http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=43875
For Hamilton to receive a 25 second penalty is totally outrageous. Lewis drove, as he always drives, professionally and beyond reproach. What is the point of watching Formula 1 when judges can alter the outcome so easily. They made a decision on a move they deem to be an unfair advantage when the rest of us mortals deemed the move to be good racing. Will future formula 1 races see drivers too afraid to get within 2 feet of another car “just in case”. It appears that recent decisions made by judges are not fair and equal from one race to another. Why does it feel that Hamilton is being singled out!
I think not. Having read exactly what the stewards have had to say i can see what they mean. People should look into things before jumping to LH’s defence just because he is British.
I think Lewis Hamilton won fair and square. To have the win taken away from him by the stewards is absolutely disgraceful. Obviously if he was in a Ferrari nothing would have been said. Why is it McLaren are stil being penalised for last year?
After attending F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2007 and 2008, it was clear Lewis Hamilton brought a record number of fans to the circuit. Lewis Hamilton has brought excitement back into F1. A few years back didn’t the FIA complain about the lack of fans.
What has Lewis Hamilton got to do or not do, to be fairly treated? Fans are not after favouritism, just fair play. The FIA need to get there act together as they seem to be backing one horse!
Hamilton should keep his win, he slowed down to let raikkonen past then re-took him again by slip streaming; if he is supposed to have gained a speed option, then how about the move raikkonen made when he overshot the bend a few corners later, and then had a slingshot out behind hamilton, and then using that momentum, overtook hamilton before he finally spun off; this is making the F1 racing a waste of time if ferrari are going to be given some sort of preferential treatment and McLaren keep getting penalised
I think the race marshalls were wrong to retrospectively demote Lewis Hamilton to 3rd place after legitimately winning the Belgian Spa Grand Prix in a fair race with Kimi Raikonnen of Ferrari. Lewis missed out a hairpin, but he let Kimi back in front, so what advantage had Lewis gained from his actions on the race track. Lewis’ actions did not deny Felipe Massa a race win, as he finished 14 seconds down the race track. The decision hurts the moral integrity of motor racing as a sport, lets hope FIA’s governing body act quickly and reverse the judgement from the race marshalls.
It was obvious to everyone who watched the race that Lewis gave back the lead to Kimi after he was pushed off the track. How can the stewards give a verdict like this, when it shows up like a sore thumb on the video tape. Lewis has got to win the appeal. No question & no doubt from me.
no he shouldnt get his win back,lucky to get third
Absolutely – there is no way that it makes sense to penalise him 25 seconds. They should let the drivers race and as long as it is all within the spirit of the race, leave them to it. As it is, they are encouraging the drivers to parade around the circuit with no overtaking moves, which is what has made the sport a shadow of its former self already.
When was life fair? Hamilton has proved that he does not need FIA assistance. Let them help Ferrari. It will make Hamilton’s eventual triumph that much more satisfying for him and his many fans.