Hamilton edging towards race ban after collision with Albon
- Published on 05 Jul 2020 18:25
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- By: Coilin Higgins
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is now within five points of a race ban after his collision with the Red Bull of Alex Albon during this evening's Austrian Grand Prix, being issued two penalty points for the incident.
Hamilton, who was struggling with gearbox sensor issues throughout the race, made contact with Albon at turn four as the Thai driver made a move around the outside for Hamilton's second place, sending the Red Bull spinning into the gravel.
Race stewards awarded Hamilton with a five-second penalty, which in turn allowed McLaren's Lando Norris to take his maiden F1 podium. Albon would later retire with a power unit issue. Hamilton was also issued with two penalty points.
Hamilton now has a total of seven points, only five points away from a potential race ban for the reigning world champion.
The incident marks the second time that the pair has come together, as Albon and Hamilton had a similar incident in the closing laps of last year's Brazilian Grand Prix, with Hamilton also being awarded a five-second penalty for the incident in Sao Paulo.
A statement from the FIA read; "The stewards reviewed video evidence showing that cars 23 and 44 were side by side approaching the apex of turn four.
"They negotiated the turn side by side, but car 23 had a better exit and was in the process of passing car 44. Car 44 was drafting to the outside at the exit of turn 4 and consequently making contact with the rear right wheel of car 23, causing car 23 to spin.
"The stewards determined that the driver of car 44 is predominantly to blame for the collision."
Speaking after the race, Hamilton regretted the incident but felt neither driver was to blame, calling the contact a racing incident. He also touched on the issues the team faced throughout the race and affirmed that the team will work hard to resolve them for next week's race.
"The race is done and I want to move forward. Yesterday was my mistake," Hamilton said.
"Then today with the late penalty that didn't affect me. Then with Alex, I can't believe we came together again. It felt like a racing incident but I will take what I got.
"I really don't know what all the problems are. I don't think it's the suspension with the kerbs. I don't know if they can fix it in the next 3 or 4 days but I am sure that my guys are working hard on it.."
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Replies (7)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Come on. That isn't even close to a race ban though.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Hamilton did that intentionally. It’s his patented move he knows the wheel overlap. He took out Albon last year too. All who raced with him as a jr knows how he will initiate “ incidental “ contact.
xoya
Posts: 583
It's something that great drivers do (apparently).
I remember Top Gear tribute to Ayrton Senna, where Martin Brundle said that Senna was famous for putting you in a position where it's up to you if you are going to have an accident.
It was his way of making sure that you let him through/be cautious when racing him.
I am guessing that the next time Albon (or any other driver, but Albon in particular) tries to make a move on Hamilton, he will be extra cautious, thus minimizing his chance of a successful overtake, unless Hamilton is much slower than him, of course.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Yes but in this case Hamilton knew he was beat and punted albon. He did it to Massa in the Monaco tunnel. He for some treason had it out for Massa. I called it a game of chicken when I raced. It was effective.
2GRX7
Posts: 108
PULEEEESE, F1ski! It was a downhill right-his steering wheel did not move left (into Albon), AT ALL! Stop trying to make up something that's not even true! Just say that you don't like him, so you're happy he got a penalty-at least you'd sound more credible! LOL!
RBH1
Posts: 1,033
And we gave a winner 2GRX7 idiot of the week.
MarkZ
Posts: 31
I'll say it cheater