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Lewis Hamilton finds allies in radio rules complaint

Published on 20 Jun 2016 11:01
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By: Rob Veenstra

The big topic after Sunday's inaugural F1 race in Baku was the controversial limitations on radio traffic between driver and pitwall. As his points comeback faltered on the streets of Azerbaijan, world champion Lewis Hamilton let his frustration show as he grappled with an engine setting problem that Mercedes engineers could not help him fix.

"In the end it was only a switch that was in the wrong position," boss Toto Wolff told German media. "And at 350kph, it is not so easy to realise what the problem is." While Mercedes officials said winner Nico Rosberg's similar problem was easier to resolve, the team confirmed that the German also grappled with the issue but quickly fixed it. "I felt the power loss and looked at my steering wheel. I thought about it briefly and then realised what it must be," Rosberg confirmed.

The situation raised suggestions that Hamilton's party lifestyle was finally catching up with him versus the apparently far more studious Rosberg. But Hamilton insisted: "There was no way for me to know what was wrong, no matter how much I had studied it. I was looking at the steering wheel most of the time, which is dangerous. The rule needs to be looked at again," he insisted.

The Briton is referring to F1's clampdown on radio communications, after a perception had emerged that engineers were doing as much driving in the complex 'power unit' era as the actual drivers. On this issue, Hamilton has plenty of allies, including Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda.

But Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel also agrees, calling the clampdown "a joke", and Fernando Alonso was similarly scathing. "Stupid," agreed Kimi Raikkonen, who also struggled to fix a problem without the help of the pitwall on Sunday. (GMM)

Vet5

Posts: 225

I disagree with all this pish about clampdowns. They are put in place and that's it! Drivers need to start doing the homework on the systems so they can fix these problems when they come. Agree'd Rosberg was able to switch faster due to doing a reverse on what he did, but he still done it within ... [Read more]

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Jun 20 2016 - 12:19

F1 News Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Sebastian Vettel Kimi Räikkönen Susie Wolff Mercedes Ferrari

Replies (7)

mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Gotta agree with Nico Rosberg, F1 has to be cerebral for the drivers as well because the driving challenge is already being diminished by importance of Aero and Engine horsepower more than what influence a driver has on the overall results. The rules are not being fixed to improve driver contribution so this cerebral challenge is the next best thing to make the drivers mind the technical details involved.

Rosberg fixed it and in lesser amount of time at that, shows his caliber. When Rosberg showed it can be done the other guy in the same car has donuts for brains, pure and simple.
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- Jun 20 2016 - 11:20
Capa

Posts: 7
Well not really. The only reason Rosberg was able to fix it was that he switched into the engine mode, noticed a lack of power, put two and two together and reverted to the previous engine mode.

I don't think things were quite so linear for LH.
- + 0
- Jun 20 2016 - 11:57
Vet5

Posts: 225
I disagree with all this pish about clampdowns. They are put in place and that's it! Drivers need to start doing the homework on the systems so they can fix these problems when they come. Agree'd Rosberg was able to switch faster due to doing a reverse on what he did, but he still done it within 3 laps, Hamilton took 12 laps. Its always when Hamilton isn't happy they decide maybe the rules should be changed. And still BBC/Sky sports are bumming Hamilton even though he came fifth, sick of seeing him everywhere, I personally believe Perez should be on the front of the news segments as he drove a stellar race!
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- Jun 20 2016 - 12:19
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, we shouldnt diminish the fact that Rosberg put 2 and 2 together faster, and Mercedes said they had the exact same problem. And yes, lets stay put with most of these clampdowns. The problem could be fixed, that was evident. Maybe if there is a more serious problem they should be able to get more input, but not as it was this time.
  Agreed on Perez, amazing 2 races from him. Almost looks like Force India is ahead of Williams now.
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  Jun 20 2016 - 17:23
Capa

Posts: 7
Perez is rocking some stellar form at the moment - true enough.
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- Jun 20 2016 - 12:25
jalfiest

Posts: 1
If Hamilton took his head out of his arse he would see things clearer!
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- Jun 20 2016 - 17:21
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  Wont make a dime of difference, for that he actually needs some brains which he clearly does not as demonstrated with all brain fades he has had in the past. The moment he opened his trap when things were not going well for him he showed his intellect was subpar. It still is.
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  Jun 21 2016 - 04:00