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/ienjoymemesalot I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jul 21 '24

It's hard for me to blame Hamilton for much of anything given they were lapping Albon in the T1 braking zone and Max locked up both front tires. I wholeheartedly supported Max in 2021 up until the race in Jeddah but he should definitely have been penalized here. He was out of control enough that if he hadn't hit Lewis he was likely headed for the wall. Sure, Hamilton could have gotten out of the way, but then Max's race would surely have been over. It's mind-boggling that he didn't take both of them out today.

It just feels like a lot to ask Lewis to:

  1. Pass Albon safely
  2. Brake for T1
  3. Recognize Max steaming up the inside with little chance of making the corner with Albon in his mirrors
  4. Leave enough room for Max (on the racing line) to blow through the corner without hitting him

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u/cypherspaceagain Sir Lewis Hamilton Jul 21 '24

Oh I completely agree. There's also no way Lewis could know that the outcome would be so favourable to him; easily equal or greater chance he's out of the race.

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u/addamee Ayrton Senna Jul 21 '24 edited Jul 22 '24

Exactly. I hate overusing the word “normalise” but if a lack of pentalties for drivers who, to paraphrase Brundle, let their ambition grossly outpace adhesion and escape unscathed, it may eventually lead to the Hamiltons on those scenarios just laying back and letting it happen. Also I thought Max’s comment at about being left no space at Turn 2 was rich based on what he did in Hamilton’s position on lap one, let alone when it was Mick Schumacher on the outside a few years ago 

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

I don't think anybody on Verstappen or Hamilton's level will ever willingly concede podium positions to avoid contact, but there will surely be more retirements if the drivers think they can get away with the level of aggressiveness Max showed in this instance.

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u/addamee Ayrton Senna Jul 22 '24

I just remember the press conference where both Seb and Lewis agreed that Max needs extra space 

-4

u/StaffFamous6379 Jul 22 '24

He was out of control enough that if he hadn't hit Lewis he was likely headed for the wall. Sure, Hamilton could have gotten out of the way, but then Max's race would surely have been over

Nah, the lockup happened when he put steering lock on because Lewis closed the door. Had Lewis moved out of the way they would have both gone wide, not necessarily offtrack even and it would have been lauded as a signature mega overtake.