© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
By Carol M. Creasey
Formula One arrived in Brazil, just one week after Mexico for the second race of the triple-header. Mercedes have been working hard to try and unlock more performance in their car as, historically, the track favours Red Bull.
On Friday Lewis Hamilton was on fire. He topped Free Practice 1, and then in Qualifying he topped each session and got pole. Max Verstappen in second place trailed him by four tenths of a second. Valtteri Bottas was third, another tenth behind, and Perez was fourth. It was heartening to see the happiness on Lewis’s face in the post-qualifying interviews.
Of course he still had a disadvantage, because although he was poised to start the Sprint Race from pole position on Saturday, he would still have to take a five-place grid penalty on Sunday for the main race, because of another engine change.
But things took a different turn on Saturday. The stewards, in their infinite wisdom, decided after Adrian Newey had stormed into their office with papers and diagrams, that Lewis’s car exceeded the size limit on its rear wing, and they impounded it. In the meantime it was noted that Verstappen had touched that very same wing in parc ferme, which is strictly forbidden.
They were both summoned to the stewards, Verstappen was given a fine for his infringement, while Lewis was excluded from Qualifying results, which meant he would have to start the Sprint Race from the back. This meant that Verstappen was elevated to a pole position that he had not personally achieved for the third time this year.
It has been patently obvious from the onset of this year that the FIA does not want Lewis to win his eighth title, and they have made it their business to assist Red Bull in any way that they can including using unfair and illegal practices. After Lewis’s amazing pole on Friday, they obviously realised they must do whatever was in their power to stop him from winning either of the races.
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Even Toto Wolff was taken aback, as earlier this year Red Bull had a damaged wing, but were only asked to change it, never was it suggested they should be penalised. Yet Mercedes had their car impounded, and although the wing in question was broken, they were not given a chance to view it. Instead a new wing was fitted and Lewis was sent to the back of the grid.
Many fans including myself were so angry about this, it was blatant favouritism to help Verstappen win the race. Lewis himself was angry and upset, but that is where the stewards failed to stop him, because a lot of his drives have been fuelled by the negativity of others, and it drives him on with a fierce determination not to let the bad guys win.
Indeed when it came to the Sprint Race, which was 24 laps long, he made 15 overtakes, and by the time the checkered flag dropped, he had raced himself up to fifth, which was truly remarkable. After a bad start from Verstappen, Bottas overtook him, and went on to win the race, Verstappen was second and Sainz a remarkable third, after overtaking Perez.
This amazing display from the Briton gave his fans hope, that although he started from tenth on the grid on Sunday, he was in with a chance of at least making the podium. But as his race progressed, it was clear to see this was going to be one of his most stand out drives. He wasted no time in despatching and passing three drivers in the first lap, and from then onwards he raced to get to the front of the grid.
He passed Perez, then Bottas, then had his sights set on Verstappen. His climb was helped by two safety cars, but by Lap 48 he was ready to overtake Verstappen. Of course, the Dutchman, with his usual aggressive approach, realising that Lewis was faster, did his best to run him off the track. They both went off, but thankfully there was no collision. It was noted by the stewards, but they did nothing about it, which is amazing. I have said this in the past, and I say it again, all the while the stewards condone Verstappen’s dangerous behaviour, he will carry on with it. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko also condone it, and one day there will be a serious accident, then maybe they will realise that not only is he a cheat, but also a danger to other drivers.
Later Lewis was able to overtake him, and he did so cleanly, allowing him plenty of room. It’s a shame that Verstappen doesn’t learn from that, how to win a race without endangering the opposition.
Whilst watching him, like many other fans, I realised I was watching greatness, this man who has been criticised this year and had armchair critics complaining that he ‘is making mistakes’. He did not put a foot wrong this weekend, every overtake was spectacular, his grit and determination to right a wrong was incredibly inspiring. Damon Hill tweeted that it was one of the finest drives he had ever seen. He has come a long way since he matched Alonso in his rookie year at McLaren, and he deserves every accolade. It has been a difficult year for him, Red Bull has had the fastest car most of the time, but he has fought to remain in the championship with all his might. Towards the end now, it looks like he has a car to challenge, and with only three races left, it will go down to the wire.
In the end Verstappen was second, and Bottas third, after managing to get the better of Perez through strategy. As if that was not the end of a very exciting day, later Lewis was summoned to the stewards yet again, and this time he received a hefty fine for undoing his seat belt to pick up the Brazilian flag, and wave to the crowds. That punishment would be acceptable if everyone was treated like that, but when Leclerc did the same thing at another race, nothing was said, and he did not have to visit the stewards. Is anyone really surprised that Lewis campaigns so strongly to help others who he feels are disadvantaged? He has suffered from unequal treatment all of his life, and even now, it’s still happening because the stewards are doing their best to hand Verstappen the championship.
During the years when Mercedes fought Ferrari, they were often favoured, but it did not stop Lewis from winning, very little does, so stewards, I hope you are reading this, because the more you penalise him, the greater his drives will be. If I was in your place, I could not live with myself. I hope you don’t suffer too much conscience, I am sure you won’t, but condoning and encouraging the behaviour of Verstappen is unbelievable, especially when he makes fun of your penalties, like he did with the fine he was handed and the black and white flag for his dangerous weaving ahead of Lewis.
But never mind that, well done Sir Lewis, what a drive!
Be sure to follow Carol on Twitter @eagertogo and visit her website www.carolmcreasey.com!
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