© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
By Carol M. Creasey
Sir Lewis Hamilton blew everyone away last week in Brazil, after receiving a disqualification penalty from the FIA. He fought from the back of the grid to rise to 5th place in the sprint race, which was just 24 laps. He then went on to win from 10th position in the main race, even after Max Verstappen ran him off the track in an effort to take him out.
The stewards did not even look at this misdemeanour, but it didn’t stop Lewis from later passing the Dutch driver. After the race Toto Wolff was angry at what appears to be thinly veiled favouritism towards Verstappen, so an appeal was made for the stewards to re-examine the case with new video evidence. This of course was thrown out by the stewards, giving carte blanche to Verstappen to continue in his dangerous and aggressive manner.
Several of the other drivers have also complained about the inconsistency of the decisions by the stewards. Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, to mention two of them, have both been penalised earlier this year in a similar situation. But sadly Formula One is not always fair, the stewards seem to be doing their best to hand Red Bull the title this year, and the easiest way for them to win is to take Lewis out at any opportunity where he might overtake Verstappen, just so he can keep his points lead.
It is a sad day for motorsport when a driver is allowed by the FIA to break the rules in this way. Lewis recognizes this intention, but he is giving it everything to stay in the fight, and he does it fairly and with dignity.
Now, onto the Qatar Grand Prix. In Friday’s free practice sessions the Briton did not seem comfortable in his car, only posting the fourth fastest time in FP1 and FP2, while Valtteri Bottas topped FP2. Afterwards, Mercedes chief engineer Andrew Sholin said they would be working overnight to make the car better for Lewis on Saturday.
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When Saturday arrived, Sir Lewis seemed more at one with his car in FP3, and by the time qualifying arrived, he was definitely the man to beat. In Q3, on his second attempt, he beat his original Q3 fastest lap to claim pole, and Verstappen in P2 was four and a half tenths behind him. Bottas was third, another two tenths behind. When being interviewed afterwards Lewis was in sparkling form, but explained that although today he felt fine, for the past couple of days he had felt unwell, and he felt he had lost his way a bit in the first two practice sessions.
After qualifying it was announced that Verstappen had been summoned to the stewards for failing to slow down when double-waved yellow flags were shown, along with Sainz and Bottas, who were believed to have failed to slow down when the single-waved flags came out.
An hour or so before the race it was announced that Bottas would get a three-place grid penalty, while Verstappen would lose five places. Horner was not happy about this, continuing to verbally protest the decision, and criticising the marshal who waved the flags. His remarks did reach the stewards, and after the race he was summoned to them.
Now Lewis had Pierre Gasly on the front row with him, and Fernando Alonso in P3, both on soft tyres, while Lewis was on mediums. He perceived them to be a threat to him at the start, but he made an excellent getaway. Sadly Bottas did not and dropped to 11th. Verstappen also made a quick start, but remained stuck in 4th until he complained, which led to Gasly being ordered to let him through, because AlphaTauri is owned by Red Bull. If I was Gasly, I would not comply, after all Red Bull easily ditched him when they didn’t think he was fast enough. However, since he left that team, his form has improved dramatically.
Then there is Alonso, who has never forgiven Lewis for besting him on many occasions in 2007, when they were team-mates at McLaren and Lewis was just a rookie. He doesn’t want Lewis to win at any cost, and although he couldn’t get him off the line, he could certainly help by letting Verstappen through. The only support Lewis could have had was Bottas, but he was stuck back in 12th. It was a sad race for the Finn, as he got himself up to 3rd, hoping to do a one-stop, but then his tyre burst. He tried to carry on, but in the end had to retire the car.
So Lewis was left to do it all on his own, and he did it magnificently. He dominated the race from start to finish, Verstappen was totally unable to stay with him, although he did claim the point for fastest lap. Mercedes gave the Briton very fast pit stops, it was a great team effort, and a very well deserved win. Lewis now has 2 back-to-back wins, and as Toto remarked afterwards: ‘the Lion has been woken up’. Lewis also set another record today, being the only Formula One driver to win at 30 different circuits.
The next race in the desert at Jeddah is in two weeks’ time, with just 8 points separating Hamilton and Verstappen. It remains to be seen whether Lewis can overhaul him, or whether Verstappen will try other means to hang onto his lead. I just hope there is no cheating. Winning the title should be about skill, nerve, mastering the car and getting the best out of it.
The final drama happened after the race when Horner went to see the stewards for his earlier remarks regarding Verstappen’s penalty. As Toto put it, he had been a very “naughty” boy by criticising the FIA and the marshals, because he expects Verstappen to get away with all his misdemeanours. He received an official warning, which although it sounds quite amusing, it is actually quite serious. As a team manager he should know how to conduct himself, but during this year he has shown just how toxic he can be. Trying to win the championship has certainly brought out the worst of his character.
Lewis may be down on points, but he is certainly not out, having been on the back foot all year, because the new regulations favoured Red Bull. I think he has done amazing to even stay in touch. Good luck Sir Lewis, your fans are right behind you for these exciting final two races.
Be sure to follow Carol on Twitter @eagertogo and visit her website www.carolmcreasey.com!
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