© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was left confused by the mixed messages race control was giving regarding track limit rules in Turn 4.
At the Bahrain Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton ran wide in Turn 4 for 29 laps, before his race engineer Peter Bonnington “Bono” informed him that race control demands him to stop or he will be penalized. Hamilton was confused by this decision and explained the drivers were told they would not be penalized in the race if only ‘two wheels were outside the line’.
Later, in the closing stages of the race, Max Verstappen overtook Hamilton by running wide in the same corner, but race control asked him to give the position back to the Briton or face a penalty. Race Director Michael Masi explained this was done because he gained a lasting advantage by exceeding track limits.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has also been left confused by the FIA’s conflicting messages regarding the situation.
“I’m equally confused like you,” the Austrian said.
“At the beginning of the race it was said track limits in Turn 4 wouldn’t be sanctioned and then in the race suddenly we heard that if you would continue to run wide it would be seen as an advantage and could cause a potential penalty.
“And then at the end that decision actually made us win the race. Max ran wide in the definition of the race director, gaining an advantage, he had to give back the position and that saved our victory.
“So we need to be consistent in which messages are being given. They need to be clear, they need to be sacred and not a Shakespeare novel that leaves interpretation.”
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Wolff confirms Mercedes sporting director Ron Meadows and himself were in contact with Masi throughout the race regarding the situation.
“The message that reached the drivers was that very simply track limits in Turn 4 wouldn’t be sanctioned in the race.
“Ron and I were speaking to Michael during the race. Michael referred to the note saying ‘Yes, but only if you’re not gaining an advantage’ and that was in the notes. I haven’t seen them.
“I think the learning of this is it needs to be simple, so everybody can understand it and they don’t need to carry the document in the car to read it and remind themselves what actually is allowed and what not,” concluded Wolff.
