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Lewis Hamilton says the stewards set an “important precedent” with Max Verstappen’s grid penalty, because “when you get away with things like that, then it’s easy just to continue to do it”.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were involved in a collision at the Italian Grand Prix, that could have ended in tragedy were it not for the halo on Lewis’ car.
After the race the stewards determined the crash was “predominantly” Max Verstappen’s fault and he was handed a three-place grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix.
Hamilton says this was an “important precedent” when it comes to driver safery.
“I’m ultimately proud of the stewards,” said the Briton.
“I think I need some time to really reflect on it, but I think it definitely sets a precedent. I think it’s an important precedent moving forwards for the safety of the drivers that there are strict rules set in place.”
Lewis says up until now drivers were not adequately sanctioned for moves like the one Verstappen pulled, so they just continued repeating their actions.
“This will continue until we have to learn from our scenarios on track, and I don’t have a history of these incidents.
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“Ultimately, when you get away with things like that, then it’s easy just to continue to do it.”
Hamilton also suggested that there should be a clear code of conduct for drivers, so these situations can be avoided.
“I think all of us drivers, we are on the edge. When we have the inside line, every single driver, past or present, will try to hold on to his position.
“Of course when you’re wheel-to-wheel going into a corner, and the car is still alongside you wheel-to-wheel on the outside, then you have to concede and give extra space when the car is ahead of you.
“There is a known rule that the driver who is ahead, it’s his corner, and eventually a driver has to concede.”
“I definitely do think we need to be looking into this and making sure that the right decisions are being made.
“No one wants to see anyone get injured, and if we can put some better protocols in, maybe we can avoid this sort of stuff in the future,” concluded the seven-time champion.
