Method One chief Lewis Hamilton accused stewards of making an attempt to cease him profitable by imposing time penalties in Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix and mentioned he must keep ‘squeaky clear’ to keep away from a race ban.
The punishment, for infringements earlier than the race in Sochi had even began, value the six-times world champion the lead and the possibility of a record-equalling 91st profession victory.
The Mercedes driver completed third after beginning on pole place.
Requested if the punishment appeared extreme, he informed Sky Sports activities tv: “After all it’s. However it’s to be anticipated. They’re making an attempt to cease me, aren’t they?”
“However it’s OK. I simply have to maintain my head down and keep targeted and we’ll see what occurs.
“Hamilton mentioned he would want to test the principles after being punished for apply begins exterior of the designated space on his technique to the grid.”I’m fairly certain no-one’s obtained two five-second penalties for one thing so ridiculous earlier than,” he added.
“I didn’t put anybody in peril. I’ve carried out this at 1,000,000 tracks through the years and by no means been questioned on it. So it’s what it’s.”The stewards additionally handed Hamilton two penalty factors, leaving him two in need of incurring a compulsory one-race ban triggered by 12 in a 12-month interval, however later rescinded them after Mercedes mentioned the driving force was performing on their directions.The stewards discovered the audio between group and driver confirmed this.
Requested whether or not he actually felt focused, Hamilton informed reporters any group operating on the entrance got here beneath numerous scrutiny.”All the pieces we now have on our automotive is being checked and triple-checked. They’re altering guidelines, such because the engine regs, a number of issues to get in the best way to maintain the racing thrilling, I assume.”
Hamilton mentioned the stewards had been handing out too many penalty factors.
“It’s ridiculous the factors they’ve been giving folks this yr usually,” he mentioned. “I’ll simply make certain I’m squeaky clear transferring forwards, don’t give them an excuse for something.”The Briton obtained 4 on the Austrian Grand Prix weekend in July for ignoring yellow flags in qualifying and a race incident with Crimson Bull’s Alexander Albon.
There have been additionally two for getting into the Italian Grand Prix pitlane after it had closed. The opposite two date from final yr’s Brazilian Grand Prix.Frenchman Romain Grosjean, in 2012, was the final F1 driver to serve a ban.
