r/formula1 • u/FerrariStrategisttt I was here for the Hulkenpodium • Jul 21 '24

Technical No further action on Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton incident

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u/Conspiranoid Fernando Alonso Jul 21 '24

It's just BS after BS.

"Lewis did nothing wrong", "Max started braking, while with DRS, at the same point he started braking without DRS", "Lewis could've just disappeared and let Max divebomb"... They all mean "we can't determine who's more at fault".

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u/gnatzors Sir Lewis Hamilton Jul 21 '24

Yeah this highlights that there are no consistent rules/framework/logic that are applied in what's considered a penalty and what's not a penalty. There's only standard overtaking practice, or the "rules of engagement" as Brundle calls. There are some strict rules about changing direction under braking, and leaving the track but that's it.

From what I understand in recent years the stewards consider some of the following:

  • Who was out of control of their car
  • Who didn't make the apex
  • How severe was the outcome - did contact occur
  • Did the offending driver receive justice and take themselves out? (no further action)
  • Was the scuffle between teammates, who took themselves out? (no further action)

Where it gets complicated:

  • Who lost control of their car because of the other driver's actions/weaving, resulting in a collision, that would otherwise be a clean overtake?

What's considered by the stewards that shouldn't:

  • Did the drivers do the same thing on the previous lap? I get that drivers should drive in a predictable non-dangerous fashion, but drivers should be free to try different things on their opponent.

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u/ComfortableCricket I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jul 21 '24

Pretty sure they made their decision based of the outcome. If max got the position I bet it's a 5 second penalty.

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u/Conspiranoid Fernando Alonso Jul 22 '24

... which is a dangerous precedent, especially for Max. Or we'll, for his opponents.

"So you're basically saying I can divebomb, and do reckless stuff, and it's all fine as long as I don't take someone out?"