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Mercedes plays down Haas-Ferrari conspiracy theory

Published on 26 Mar 2018 11:13
9
By: Rob Veenstra

Mercedes has played down a conspiracy theory relating to Sebastian Vettel's surprise win in Melbourne. The reigning champions are investigating how the virtual safety car period cost Lewis Hamilton the race victory.

One conspiracy theory is that it is no coincidence that it was the timing of the wheel problems suffered by Ferrari partner Haas that helped Ferrari's Vettel. Team boss Gunther Steiner told Bild newspaper: "We just didn't attach the wheels correctly. It's hard to believe that it happened to both cars, but it happened."

Mercedes bosses Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda did not jump aboard the Haas conspiracy talk. "I really feel for Haas," Wolff said. "They were really fast. I have no idea what happened, but when it happens it really hurts." Lauda agrees: "Haas will have to look at how it happened but I'm just sorry for them."

Haas boss Steiner admitted the mistakes could have been made due to the unfamiliar pressure on the shoulders of the mechanics. "The whole weekend was very stressful," he said. "We had some problems on Friday and lacked spare parts, and we did not practice the pitstops very actively. Perhaps this was one of the reasons." (GMM)

renaultFanF1

Posts: 80

Haas was a very pleasant surprise, it was exciting to see them up there. I thought they would be overtaken by teams behind, but they actually gained places at the start! What a shame they didn't finish

3
Mar 26 2018 - 11:19

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Ferrari Mercedes Haas

Replies (9)

renaultFanF1

Posts: 80
Haas was a very pleasant surprise, it was exciting to see them up there. I thought they would be overtaken by teams behind, but they actually gained places at the start! What a shame they didn't finish
- + 3
- Mar 26 2018 - 11:19
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, HAAS really is the dark horse of this season. Could very well be Force India 2.0, methinks.
  + 0
  
  Mar 26 2018 - 18:25
Jutlandia

Posts: 191
Honestly - a conspiracy?
Somebody ought to go on with their life in stead.
- + 1
- Mar 26 2018 - 11:35
mbmwe36

Posts: 533
That is THE dumbest "conspiracy theory" I've heard in a long while. I read a few reactions yesterday where some fans were convinced it was a big master plan by Ferrari and HAAS.
Had this been at one of the final races of the season, then yeah, maybe there would be a slight chance of foul play.
However, we are talking about the first race of the season, HAAS being in the best position ever, and Romain parking in a spot where the car could be removed very quickly under normal circumstances - and Ferrari were in a spot they could live with in 2nd and 3rd place.
It is a mind numbingly stupid theory. It really is.
- + 2
- Mar 26 2018 - 12:41
talktohenry

Posts: 362
I don't think I ever seen such a big mistake, the guy on the wheel gun should be extradited to an Island on the moon, with no racing cars withing a 15 year time travel journey - what a muffin!
- + 0
- Mar 26 2018 - 15:08
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Its an interesting theory, but thats all it is, methinks. There is no way a team would sacrifice two high scoring cars just to appease a bigger team, even if that bigger team is Ferrari. Regardless, it was painful to watch Haas good results go up in smoke.
- + 0
- Mar 26 2018 - 18:25
denis1304

Posts: 284
this conspiracy theory stinks of Sky Sports F1, just like sensationalism with Vettel's passing Hamilton in box while it was VSC period. They always find bone and run with it
- + 0
- Mar 26 2018 - 18:25
- Major Tom
  
  Posts: 152
  I got the impression at the time that the Sky commentary team mentioned a conspiracy as a joke.
  + 0
  
  Mar 26 2018 - 21:20
- Barron
  
  Posts: 625
  They’re journalists, it’s what they do..What else would you expect? The bone they find is for you Denis..
  + 0
  
  Mar 27 2018 - 12:38