Lewis Hamilton And Max Verstappen Sanctioned In Brazil
Formula 1 title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton faced possible penalties on Saturday after being accused of breaking the rules ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
On a dramatic day in Brazil after qualifying for a sprint race on Saturday, which determines the starting grid on Sunday, Mercedes driver Hamilton and future World Cup leader Red Bull Verstappen drew the attention of fans.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton topped the standings at the Interlagos circuit, but his car failed a technical check and risked being demoted to the bottom of the speed table.
Stewards ordered the rear wing confiscated and the car handed over for the night.
A spokesman for the ruling FIA said officials were waiting for more evidence.
Then a testimony dropped another bomb by summoning Verstappen and a representative of the team to meet over an alleged violation of international sports law.
Video footage posted to social media by a fan showed how Verstappen apparently checked the rear fenders of his Red Bull and Hamilton’s Mercedes with his hands after parking after qualifying.
Article 2.5.1 of the Sports Law states that no operation, inspection, adjustment, or repair is permitted in this safety zone without the permission of the officials.
Hamilton, who is 19 points behind Verstappen in four remaining races, already has a five-grid penalty for Sunday’s race after Mercedes changed his car’s engine.
The Briton clocked the fastest time of one minute 07.934 seconds with Verstappen 0.438 slower, a considerable lead by one of the shortest laps on the calendar.
“Come on,” Hamilton called over the team radio.
Three points have to be fought in the sprint, but Hamilton’s chances of victory have been called into question by millimeter measurement.
Formula 1 technical delegate Jo Bauer reported that the adjustable upper rear wing positions when implementing the drag reduction system did not comply with the rules for maximum clearance of 85mm.
Hamilton previously told reporters the car was finally performing to his liking.
“We are often wrong, I am wrong and today I did well and the car was very comfortable to drive. It was all I wanted,” he said.
Verstappen said Hamilton’s new engine is clearly making all the difference.
“It’s not a big surprise to me. I’m happy to finish second. It’s a good starting position. Of course, you want to get closer and closer, but sometimes you just have to be realistic and it doesn’t. there wasn’t much more.”
The 100km sprint is the last of three in an experimental format this season, with the other two taking place at Monza and Silverstone.
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Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas finished third with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in the second row.
“Lewis was untouchable today,” Perez said.
Team principal Christian Horner agrees: “This new engine is obviously producing power for (Hamilton), so I think the second one was the best we could hope for,” he said.
“If you look at the relative speed (of Hamilton) to Valtteri, it’s a few tenths.”
