F1 Debate : Did Lewis Hamilton deserve both penalties in the Monaco Grand Prix?
Did Lewis Hamilton deserve both penalties in the Monaco Grand Prix?
As discussed earlier on EnterF1.com, Lewis Hamilton received two controversial penalties for driving misdemeanours during the Monaco Grand Prix. He was given a drive-through following his collision with Felipe Massa and also had 20 seconds added onto his race time after coming together with Pastor Maldonado.
Hamilton feels that he was hard done by in both instances and says the other drivers simply turned in on him. A large number of fans agree and believe the stewards acted too harshly.
The case for Hamilton’s penalties
It’s an attacking driver’s responsibility to make a clean pass and Lewis was unable to do so on both occasions. His move on Massa at the tightest corner in Formula One was always likely to end in some sort of collision. His lunge down the inside came far too late and he never got close to pulling alongside Felipe. You have to be right next to a driver to make an effective overtaking manoeuvre at the hairpin, and Lewis was certainly not that.
Hamilton was also responsible for the accident with Maldonado because, as per the situation with Massa, he was trying to execute a pass that wasn’t really possible at the time. When the two drivers made contact, Hamilton’s front left wheel tagged Maldonado’s right rear, suggesting that Lewis was coming from too far back and too late in the braking zone to make the move work.
The case against Hamilton’s penalties
In both instances, Lewis was given penalties for what could be described as ‘racing incidents’.
From Hamilton’s onboard footage, it does appear that Felipe turned in on him whilst they raced towards the hairpin. Massa intentionally squeezed Lewis on the inside, which suggests that Felipe should shoulder some of the blame for the collision for defending so strongly. Lewis tried to avoid a collision once it became clear that Massa was turning in, and that’s why he tagged the back of Ferrari without ever really getting alongside.
The same is true in the Maldonado accident. Lewis was in a position to make a clean manoeuvre until Pastor turned in on him, giving Hamilton nowhere to go. Maldonado did not provide sufficient racing room. Lewis tagged the back of the Williams because he was trying to avoid an accident, and not because he was coming from too far back. Hamilton made the exact same move on Schumacher earlier in the race, and did so cleanly because Michael gave him room.
What do you think? Have your say below and join the debate. Did Lewis Hamilton deserve both penalties in the Monaco Grand Prix?
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Last Comment Posted »
I have watched formula 1 since I was a child and Lewis Hamilton offends me on every level. He is irresponsible. For him to say the other drivers...
by Cassandra
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Recent comments on this article:
#1 Dan | 27 Aug 2011, 17:25 Reply »
..just read all these after watching pastor prod lewis at spa.
I've watched F1 for 25 years as well as good ole' champ and indy.Hamiliton is a racer..end of.In the usa he'd be a hero, as most people think it was (F1) rather boring and the racers a bit limp...Hamilton races with intent,i will pass you,not ' i'll sit here and consider the best option with tyres', etc. Most informed pundits would agree the top three talents in F1 (usa inc) Alonso,Vettle and Hamilton.Most would say Alonso is the most complete,Vettle has best equipment(not brilliant under pressure) and pulls the most from that...as for Hamilton,stupid at times yes but has the most raw talent.Jenson button (big fan) admitted that Lewis is the fastests guy out there.If he learns and calms alittle he could be truly astounding as well as bloody balls out exciting.One other driver reminds me of Senna and his uncomprimising style and thats Lewis.I fear F1 would treat Senna like the anti-Hero these days,i mean he'd drive others off the road in search for the lead.People hate talent.It ain't a personality contest either.If this continual bashing of such Drivers continues then they may hop over the pond,where folk are allowed to aggressively race and show what they have..heck enough Brits winning here already.You may hate him but you can't deny Lewis Hamiltons Talent.Don't forget loads hated Schumi and Senna......as for clocking another Driver..think he may have most whipped on that front don't you ? Unless your name is Pastor Maldanado that is and you use over a 2 millon dollar race car - perhaps he realised if he did the man thing and squared up he'd be the one looking up from the pit floor.
Not a fan but i know talent when i see it..you all should too.We'd happily have him over here!!!
#2 MartyP | 5 Jun 2011, 07:49 Reply »
My own feeling here is that, if we can debate the penalties, perhaps they shouldn't have been awarded. I think penalties like these should only be given when the misdemeanour is blatant and obvious. I think Lewis was pushing his luck in both instances, but if the other drivers can shoulder some of the blame, then maybe it's just a racing incident. I'm not sure, would that be too lenient?
Of course, if Lewis had simply drilled them both from behind it would be a different story.
#3 Jimmy@enterF1 | 5 Jun 2011, 08:59 Reply »
Unfortunately the Massa one was always gonna end up a penalty after di resta got one for the same thing earlier in the race.
And if the stewards were handing them out for incidents at the Loews hairpin, you may as well hand them out at sainte devote as well!!!
Every time i see a reply of those incidents i think back to Spa 2010 when Barrichello cruised into the back of Alonso at the chicane. Completely out of control and wrecking Alonso's race for then on. Incidents like that deserve the punishments and rage. Rookies make mistakes like that and not the established the drivers.
It annoys me how many people hate hamilton for trying to overtake, hate him for being passionate (if a little reckless) to the worlds media and who probably don't accept any of apologies he made afterwards.
#4 Alonsista | 5 Jun 2011, 10:33 Reply »
he must be penalised for two races,he destroyed Massa¨s and Maldonado¨s race and his first points in F1
#5 RedBullfan247 | 5 Jun 2011, 10:51 Reply »
The hairpin with massa with out a doubt! There is no room there to pass. He should have know better and just set up for another corner. Now the one with Maldonado I don't agree with. Hamilton cleary had the line and Maldonado just turned into him. Chalk that up to a rookie mistake on Maldonado's part.
#6 teddy | 5 Jun 2011, 11:04 Reply »
only the maldonado crash deserves some type of reprimand as it was purely intimidation, he had not reached the "agreed" position on track (front wheel well at cockpit level or slightly ahead) to stick with the move. He should have backed off..
#7 Ravindran | 5 Jun 2011, 13:18 Reply »
both were racing incidents , the stewards are not consistent ! Let them race for god sake !!!
#8 HTC | 5 Jun 2011, 13:18 Reply »
Replayed Massa incident many times. Suspects Massa turned in early to block Hamilton. The line he taken was so different/early from the cars in front. That was a deliberate blocking and both should be penalised.
#9 Aaron | 5 Jun 2011, 14:07 Reply »
Think the Massa incident was over optimistic, Hamilton's car didn't have enough steering lock to possible drive around the inside of another car at that hairpin with the line that he had taken into the bend.
The Maldonado was 50:50, he had the right to defend and Hamilton had the right to attack, just as he had so spectacularly against Shoemaker.
I applaud Hamilton for attacking but I think frustration at the weekend unravelling as it did made him a little too brash. In his head he was going to win Monaco but the redflag in qualifying put pay to that, the conditions changed and his tyres were probably cold after sitting in the pit lane for too long. He'll probably win in Canada and then it will be a lotto after the blown diffuser gases is banned. That rule change and a couple of slip ups from Vettel are his best chance at taking this title, as is he has no chance.
Great season, would just have preferred at least a two horse race!
#10 Aaron | 5 Jun 2011, 14:13 Reply »
Actually! Watch Massa and Webber, Massa is following Webber's line until he sees Hamilton's move and dives in tight to block him, leaving him nowhere to go and no longer following the racing line. Think Hammy might have had a point. Great video.
#11 Gaga L | 5 Jun 2011, 16:22 Reply »
In the same race, on the same spot Schumacher passed Hamilton and Hamilton left him room to do that. Same goes for Schumacher – Rosberg duel on the same spot. Only Massa decided not to left space for Hamilton and he should be only one to put blame on.
I had respect for Massa before but now what is left is frustrated 'little' man.
Duel Hamilton Maldonado is clear racing accident (even Williams director S. Michael admit it).
#12 James | 5 Jun 2011, 17:52 Reply »
I agree that to penalize a driver for being too aggressive is wrong, reckless yes. Maldonado, Hamilton was next to him way before any turn in point. Massa, well remind me when two cars racing for position ever concluded a clean pass there! Masa did lean in.
#13 paula | 6 Jun 2011, 04:54 Reply »
all accidents are avoidable because u could stay and maintain position , where was schmacher's penalty for hitting lewis from the start , where was jaime algersauri penalty for going into the the back off lewis no where why beacuse they are biased if u going give 1 penalty to one u must give to another . when i go to see an f1 race i wanna see overtaking otherwise what is the point yes it wont always be sweet and easy but thats motor racing ........x They gonna kill off the sport soon ....x
#
#14 tiger2207 | 6 Jun 2011, 06:49 Reply »
If you remember Schumacher passed Lewis there at the start of the race Massa should not have turned in racing incident as was the other,maybe you do not like Lewis but at the end of the day they are racing and Monaco is a pretty boring race unless you enjoy crashes.
#15 Aadil | 6 Jun 2011, 07:03 Reply »
Its all well and good to be aggresive but if u going 2 overtake sum1 do it properly! Hamilton pulled half arse moves that were never going 2 stick in a million yrs and then he blames other ppl for it! We all know how desprately he wants 2 be like "SENNA" but Senna never drove such a s**t race in his life and he never pulled off half as moves like that!Theres no doubt Hamilton has the talent but he doesnt have the brains to be great he simply doesnt have the temprement of great champions like Senna, like prost , like schumacher and thats the fact!IThis race proves in 5 yrs he hasnt grown up much!Fact is a kid names Sebestian Vettel come into F1 after him and now had more poles them him and a equal amount of wins as him and is likely to become a double world champ before him suddenly Hamilton isnt the star of the show every1 made him out to be! What is even more impressive about Vettel is he wasnt gifted his place in F1 he earned it and it started of @ the back in a Torro Rosso!!!
#16 Jon | 6 Jun 2011, 07:29 Reply »
Maybe the one on Massa both had a bit of blame, Schumacher did the same move on Lewis and managed it so Lewis tried it on Massa and failed. The stupid thing IMO is the fact he got reprimanded and did it again a few laps later to Maldonado!! That is the BIG mistake from Lewis.
I actually think that many here are not aware that the FIA has introduced a penalty points system that after a driver gets 3 reprimands a harsher penalty will be imposed. Lewis got 2 [and a cancelled qualifying lap for cutting a chicane]. He was playing with fire there and when he commented on the FIA to the BBC afterwards I believe that could have easily been the 3rd bullseye they needed to penalize him further for the following race with a grid penalty or so.
He is a great racer but the all time greats know when to hold back and take home some points. In that aspect Lewis still has a lot to learn. I applaud his determination, but in Monaco? Hell no, that was suicide my friend.
#17 Agile | 6 Jun 2011, 08:23 Reply »
Hamilton is a breath of fresh the first driver to actually race a formula 1 car since Nigel Mansell,if the other sunday drivers can't hack it send them to chursh on a bus.Penalties definitely unjustified,same goes for Di Resta let's say thank God there are some racing drivers out there.
#18 SAMH | 6 Jun 2011, 12:08 Reply »
Is it a parade or motor racing.The Stewards had no business putting there 2 cents in.
#19 Jimmy@enterF1 | 6 Jun 2011, 12:27 Reply »
I hope this doesn't water down his driving from here on. He says he'll never change his style and i hope that remains true. There seems to be a for and against arguement for every part of what went on at Monaco. He's apologised to both drivers for his comments so i guess everyone is gonna move on and it'll all begin in Canada again!
#20 Cassandra | 15 Jun 2011, 03:31 Reply »
I have watched formula 1 since I was a child and Lewis Hamilton offends me on every level. He is irresponsible. For him to say the other drivers should give him more room is to use his word Stupid. He deserves every penalty handed down to him. I remember when you would get your clock cleaned for such behavior by the other drivers.
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