Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire early in the Belgian Grand Prix. While the Briton could not be satisfied with his qualifying, things went wrong in the race when he collided with Fernando Alonso. The FIA gave him a warning after the race.
The seven-time world champion refused to go to the medical centre after the incident to get himself checked out. According to the organisation that is unacceptable, but for now, it remains a warning for Hamilton.
The driver is certainly not the first this season who has refused to do so, so the FIA now sees a pattern. It, therefore, does not rule out the possibility that in the future it will decide to hand out a penalty to the driver in question.
Alonso finishes in P5
After the race, Hamiton said he was at fault when he collided with Alonso. The Madrid-born driver managed to continue his journey and finished a neat fifth place, just ahead of Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz and George Russell.
While i don't mind the ruling on the accident itself, i do find it annoying that Hamilton didn't go in for the check up, considering his concerns about his well-being not too long ago. I did not know that other drivers also skipped the check ups, and that the FIA isn't happy about that either, but it doesn't explain why Hamilton wouldn't go in as well.
The medical centre can't do much about treating a driver's damaged ego.
Penalty for Lewis? By FIA in future… Nice try… Lol lol lol lol
Baffling indeed. This was a certain penalty for Lewis. He had more than enough room to leave Alonso but he just closed in on him and a collision was inevitable. How Lewis got away with that is unbelievable.
And then to refuse to go to the medical center without being threatened with punishment. This guy really needs a reality check. He thinks he is more important than F1 now.
He got away with it just like Max got away with it last year at Imola, Monza, Brasil, Jeddah or Abu Dhabi.
Hahaha Imola and Monza ???? Ok go to Hamilton’s onboard in Imola mate, Max was way in front then Lewis brakes as late as possible to get that ‘side by side’ on the outside, despite the weather etc. After that go to Max’s onboard in Monza, he literally did the same thing as Hamilton in Imola, braked so late to get that side by side. So in both cases it was Max’s fault ??? Then explain what’s the difference between those two actions of late braking and forcing the car on the outside ?? Can’t wait to see what it is
Yeah, that's what i noticed in this collision as well, but i didn't really hear the Sky guys mentioning it (might be me, maybe i wasn't paying enough attention). But yeah, the way Lewis suddenly pops up next to Alonso is definitely the result of late braking, and he used his momentum to put himself in front of Alonso, or so he thought, but he was still alongside Alonso, with Alonso having nowhere to go but either go off track or try to stay on, which resulted in Lewis lifting off. I can sorta understand the Stewards for not putting a penalty on it, as it didn't really affect the other drivers as much as himself, and a time penalty wouldn't have made any difference because he was already out of the race, but it was definitely a WTF moment.
Lewis got away with it in Abu Dhabi last year. He passed Max by leaving the track and gaining a large advantage that he did not give back including the position. He had his friend Masi on his side in that case, whereas Max did a weaker version of the same thing in the prior race and got a time penalty plus had to give the position back. Lewis did not get away with it in Silverstone thankfully though because it was so egregious. Lewis gets away without penalty more times than not.
First lap incidents are often dismissed. Not that I agree to that no matter which driver does something but seeing other things let go the past years I don't think this decision was wrong. You can as well call this a racing incident. And what are the measurements od the FIA for a driver to visit the medical center? Lewis even drove on for a while. So what makes the FIA decide this. And also didn't hear before that other drivers refused this as well this year, anyone knows who?
True, was almost certainly due to the fact that it was a first lap incident and Lewis ended up retiring. Alonso wasn't affected much, but it could have been race over for him. Lewis a bit fortunate to get away with a warning.
Lewis did not have to stop his car because FIA wanted him to go to medical center. But yea, good question though. What if Lewis was able to continue, what then? Visit the medical center after racing 1.5 hrs? lol.. this is a bit weird actually.. or would they have told him to retire because of a medical center visit? Or ask him a few questions over the radio to see if he is ok or not.. haha
Best comment in the history of the blog Wim, I salute you
I'm with you 100%, best comment definitely today at last. Would he have complained of injuries if it wasnt his fault is the question.
Popular on GPBlog
F1 Full Results | Japanese Grand Prix FP2: Piastri P1, Norris P2
F1 LIVE | Follow FP2 for the Japanese Grand Prix here
Mercedes breaks F1 rule ahead of Japanese Grand Prix weekend
