FIA launch investigation into vettel-Hamilton Baku clash
A further punishment could follow for the Ferrari driver
Sebastian Vettel could face the prospect of further punishment after his clash with Lewis Hamilton during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Ferrari star ran into the back of Hamilton's Mercedes while the pack was following the safety car.
Incensed, Vettel then pulled alongside Hamilton before deliberately driving into the Briton's car.
Four time World Champion Vettel was handed a ten second stop/go penalty during the race, but now he could face further sanctions as the sport's governing body the FIA has announced it is holding an investigation into the incident.
A statement released on Wednesday afternoon read:
A FIA statement said: “Following the recent incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in which Car 5 (Sebastian Vettel) was involved in a collision with Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), on Monday 3rd July, the FIA will further examine the causes on the incident in order to evaluate whether further action is necessary.
“A statement regarding the outcome of this process will be made available before the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix.”
After the race, Vettel said he disagreed with his penalty - and argued that Hamilton should have received one as well.
For his part, Hamilton said Vettel had "disgraced himself".
"Driving alongside and deliberately driving into another driver and getting away pretty much scot-free as he still came fourth, I think that's a disgrace," the Mercedes man said.
"I think he disgraced himself today.
"It definitely sets a precedent within F1 and it also does for all the young kids that are watching us drive and conduct ourselves," added Hamilton.
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Comments (101)
I'd like to share three points:
1. Okay, finally there is drama and battle in the championship. Is It not something we wanted? Why are we talking about further penalties and black flag and what have you. Obviously Vettel overreacted, but he didn't smash anyone's face (which happened in F1 before) and he got his 40 seconds to his time + 3 points to his license.
2. FIA, better help Honda and Renault, fix this damn engine story thing rather than discussing finished grand prix
3. And why is Hamilton talking about kids watching F1, for goodness' sake? I'm sorry, It was okay for kids to watch Senna/Prost, Schumacher/Villeneuve but now they are suddenly too sensitive? Hide your kids next time before the race, it's 18+ apparently now >:-(
The more I read about this, the more I get angry that Vettel has essentially got off lightly in what is basically a road rage incident. 10 second stop go penalty was ridiculous. They would have been better off saying they will review the incident after the race. In my opinion a race ban is in order or disqualification from the Baku race. I'm sure if it had been Hamilton that lost his temper he would have been dealt with much more harshly. I'm pleased the FIA are investigating the incident. All the idiots that say Hamilton brake checked Vettel are wrong. Jumping on the back of what Vettel said at the time he ran into the back of Hamilton is wrong. Vettel was under pressure from Perez on the last safety car start and I believe Vettel put his foot down thinking Lewis was going to gun it down the straight but instead Lewis let the safety car go. The telemetry says that Lewis didn't change speed for the last 2 bends and hadn't touched his brakes or accelerator. Vettel should have dealt with this soo much better and held his hands up and said he made a mistake. I like most of the drivers and this really has hurt Vettel. His attitude over the last two years has been on a slippery slope downwards, frustration is creeping in. I wIll be looking forward to the FIA decision.
I think that the rear shunt into LH by SV was his misjudgement, nothing more. What was subsequently unacceptable was SV's reaction and 'attempted punishment' of LH for the 'alleged brake testing'. It is that reaction and action by SV that...
Read moreDo we really care? Opinions are like arseholes, we all have one. I don't give a monkeys who did what to who, the race was fantastic to watch and that is the only thing I care about. I don't want to sit down and watch a procession of expensive machines follow one another lap after lap. Nor do I want to see passionless drivers who are just walking advertisements for corporate sponsors. Neither are blameless, they both knew what they were doing, that is why they are both world champions.
Both were wrong and should receive equal penalties
...which is pretty much what happened, with Hamilton's headrest problem.
If both are wrong why was only seb penalised?
I know fans of F1 tend to pick their favourite team/s and drivers and that is normal. The problem is that sometimes we lose objectivity when "our guys" are involved in an incident and we tend to let that cloud our judgement and overlook the realities of a situation.
This incident between 2 of the best drivers in F1 is a classic example.
Video footage in this case is crystal clear for all of us to see. The guilty party is evident. The punishment seems to be debateable with most erring on the side of too lenient a punishment. Be that as it may, the FIA will decide and whilst many may not agree with the outcome ( either way their decision goes ), that will be the end result.
Biased opinions are not of much value - reality has to be the guide.
This is the most sensible thing that has been said since it happened!