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Sensational reports claim of Lewis Hamilton sacking after Abu Dhabi antics

Published on 28 Nov 2016 09:57
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By: Dominik Wilde

The British press are sensationally claiming that Lewis Hamilton could be suspended or even "sacked" after defying team orders during Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton was asked on a number of occasions to speed up after he slowed his pace in an attempt to back team mate Nico Rosberg into his rivals, despite earlier ruling out employing such a tactic.

"I didn't expect it but maybe I was naive," Rosberg said of Hamilton's driving after the race.

Mercedes reportedly warned Hamilton against such tactics before the race, as well as demanding he pick up his pace in radio messages during the race, and now a number of publications are reporting that the three-time champion could face serious repercussions.

The Daily Express claims Hamilton "could be sacked", while the Times said he "faces (a) team ban" for his behaviour. Germany's Welt newspaper added that Hamilton's behaviour in Abu Dhabi was "childish".

Team boss Toto Wolff is quoted: "Anarchy does not work in any team and in any company. Everything is possible."

"This is a mechanical sport," Wolff insisted. "You need to win and to lose with dignity.

"I think it's a pity we are talking about this," he added. "Nico Rosberg has won the world championship after a terrific season."

There is also controversy about Hamilton's comments apparently questioning the legitimacy of Rosberg's title, including the claim that he lost many points through unreliability.

Mercedes' team chairman Niki Lauda admitted he understood Hamilton's driving, but insisted he must put the team first.

"As drivers we always try every trick in the book, but you always must have respect for your team mate," he said.

Despite the furore surrounding Hamilton's tactics, some drivers have backed the outgoing champion, including Kimi Raikkonen who said his behaviour was "not ridiculous".

Carlos Sainz added: "I would have done it too. If you want to win the title you have to try everything, as long as it's within the rules."

ianf1

Posts: 185

It was the only card LH had left to play, and he played it. It was so funny listening to the pit wall when they sensed that NR may not get the place he needed to win the championship. Hamilton was always going to win the race, if he got what he needed with cars between him and NR then he woul... [Read more]

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Nov 28 2016 - 11:15

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Kimi Räikkönen Susie Wolff Mercedes

Replies (10)

talktohenry

Posts: 362
HE DID ZERO WRONG AND WON THE RACE, IF ANYONE GETTING SACKED IT WILL BE MERCEDES NOT HAMILTON
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- Nov 28 2016 - 10:36
- Georges Movz
  
  Posts: 3
  You are totally wrong,,, In Mid Season race of Monaco,, i remember Nico letting him (Lewis) by to win the race,, knowing how hard it is to pass cars even the slowest in Monaco,, or is it allowed to play dirty on at the Final race?? dirty is dirty first race of the season,, 10th race or the final race,, playing dirty only shows how you grew up,, your family values,, and ethics,, which lewis has non of...
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  Nov 29 2016 - 06:06
denis1304

Posts: 284
... and Pascal gets his seat LOL
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- Nov 28 2016 - 10:57
ianf1

Posts: 185
It was the only card LH had left to play, and he played it. It was so funny listening to the pit wall when they sensed that NR may not get the place he needed to win the championship. Hamilton was always going to win the race, if he got what he needed with cars between him and NR then he would have magically 'found' his missing pace, so the win for mercedes was never in question. So why were they so keen for Lewis to go quicker? To protect the NR championship, which they've been trying to engineer all season. I think it made for a much more entertaining race for us, but it was a last gasp attempt by LH that was never really going to happen.

If they sack him they will just add fuel to the conspiracy theories, he was driving within the rules and as he said he was leading at the time that they asked him to speed up. NR should have got pole if he wanted to avoid all the fun and games!

It amazes me that mercedes employ racing drivers, but hate it when they actually start showing some race craft. If they always want to engineer / influence the results, they could do that with much less capable / aggressive / egotistical drivers given the car that they have got.
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- Nov 28 2016 - 11:15
Wolfgang

Posts: 313
i´m sensing a lot of bullshit in these obviously british comments..

Just some words:

-He drove his wheel off in baku
-He destroyed his team-room
-He had several poor starts this year making him using all of his engine and all of the componentes what definetely leaded to his reliability issues. Watch out for the shift lights in several races and compare what Nico and what Lewis pressed out of the engine.
-He won Canada because of Ferrari strategy error
-He won Monaco because of Nico letting Lewis past (!!) AND because of strategy error at Red Bull
-He crashed into Nico DELIBERATELY in Austria because he knew it´s last lap and he can kick off Nicos Front Wing. You surely won´t be that stupid to believe Nico was in his "blind-spot"
-He pushed Nico several times of the track 14, 15 and 16.
-He had 5 reliability issues during races whereas Nico hat 9 in the last 3 years.
-He wasn´t able to reset his engine setting in Baku, a 3 time WDC who claims to be the best should be able to do that, or not?

So just stop bullshitting all over the place it´s ridiculous.

Lewis has lost, Nico was clever enough to win. Just deal with it. End of story.
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- Nov 28 2016 - 11:27
- HEINZ
  
  Posts: 61
  True. Lewis is good but he lost this time around. I dont blame him for his race strategy, most would do it, but he his such a bad looser. He needs to accept and move on.
  Oh and mercedes would never sack a driver with his performance level, that would be pretty stupid...
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  Nov 28 2016 - 11:52
- StigsSon
  
  Posts: 35
  Well said, Wolfgang.
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  Nov 28 2016 - 14:11
- dr002
  
  Posts: 141
  I also agree with you Wolfgang.
  
  I'd also add that in Mexico he deliberately went in too hot into the first corner and then cut across the grass in order to ensure he secured the race lead.
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  Nov 29 2016 - 00:24
denis1304

Posts: 284
youtu.be/5KeZvDm16ow?t=1m10s i like what Toto says here
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- Nov 28 2016 - 17:32
- Georges Movz
  
  Posts: 3
  DR002 I totally agree with you and with Wolfgang,, Lewis has proven on many occasions to be a dirty unethical driver that should have never won a world championship,, and every time he loses a race,, he never admits that the winner was better than him,, it is either conspiracy, or reliability, or fault of others but never his fault... Maybe Mercedes should wake him up and face him with the fact that any driver in this very car can win the championship..
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  Nov 29 2016 - 05:56