Mercedes’ request for a right to review the decision not to punish Max Verstappen in Brazil was on everyone’s lips in the paddock on Thursday when F1 rolled onto the Losail International Circuit in Qatar for the first time.
Mercedes representatives attended a hearing at 5:00 pm local time where they had to reveal “a significant and relevant new element” that was not available to stewards at the time it was decided not to defend the leadership against Verstappen Punishing Lewis Hamilton.
Four and a half hours after the hearing began on Thursday, the FIA said the stewards would “look into the matter” and announce their decision on Friday.
If the stewards accept that the evidence presented is significant and relevant, they officially open a review and re-examine whether he should be punished. If they decide that a penalty is justified, it can be applied retrospectively.
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But if they reject the request, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix result stays the same, with Hamilton first and Verstappen second, and we move on.
Of course, the main actors were questioned on Thursday at the FIA press conference on Thursday. Hamilton said he “wholeheartedly” supports the team that requested a review.
Commenting on the incident, he added, “Of course I looked at it again and of course I have a different point of view now. [But] I just put all my energy into setting up the car to make sure I’m in the right headspace this weekend … I was just focusing, sitting with Bono [race engineer Pete Bonnington] and the engineers. We have to really get going this weekend [strongly] and make sure we bring the fight to them. “
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As expected, Verstappen was not impressed by the criticism and said “it’s not the end of the world” when he gets a penalty. “But I don’t expect that to happen because I thought it was a fair, tough race between the two guys fighting for the championship,” he added. “So it wouldn’t have been an easy pass anyway, because I’m not like that and I don’t think what it should be like when you’re fighting for the title.”
Hamilton seemed relaxed as he spoke to the press on Thursday, encouraged by his win last time
And he has no regrets, because he says he would take the same step again in a similar situation. “I think we as drivers know exactly what we can and can’t do in a car and we fought hard, braked late into the corner, the tires were pretty worn,” he said. “If I had turned left more abruptly, you’d just turn off the track.”
Many of the drivers were asked to comment on the Hamilton-Verstappen incident, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc admitting that if Verstappen’s step went unpunished, he would change his driving style.
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“In Austria (2019) it was a slightly different situation and after that we were able to drive a little harder – which in my opinion was good for F1, for the show,” said the Monegaske. “This situation was different. I’ll just leave the stewards to see what they think.
“You always have to adapt to every decision made by the stewards. When I knew there was no penalty for Max in Austria, I came to Silverstone and changed my driving style, so I think it’s a bit the same for every driver. We always try to drive to the limit of what we are allowed to do and I will do that if those things are allowed. “
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Regardless of the outcome, the championship is in good shape – Verstappen is currently leading Hamilton with 14 points – and the reigning world champion does not believe that tensions off the track will overshadow the fantastic championship fight.
“That’s sport, isn’t it? It’s intense, the fight on and off the track, ”he said. “I hope not. I think there is no reason as men cannot discuss it and find out. I think it is definitely important that we treat each other with respect, on and off the track.”
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There are still three races to go – two are brand new in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while Abu Dhabi has made a lot of adjustments to the layout of the Yas Island circuit, and that means a lot of unknowns.
Red Bull’s Verstappen still has a healthy lead in the championship ahead of the last three races
Both drivers give a lot of pressure. Hamilton flew back to Europe between Brazil and Qatar and spent a day in the simulator, which he has improved significantly this year in his relentless drive to stay at the top.
He’s confident for Verstappen because he knows his Red Bull team had the best package for most of the season – and in races like Austin he was able to face all odds to assert himself as the winner. From his point of view, Brazil was just a slip-up. Qatar is a clean sheet of paper.
While much of the chatter was off track on Thursday, it won’t be long before a decision has been made and the focus can be shifted back to racing – and that’s an enticing prospect.
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The post View from the paddock: While the title fight rolls to Qatar, all eyes are on the stewards and their Verstappen-Hamilton verdict first appeared on monter-une-startup.
