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Hamilton: I'd have done the same as Vettel

Published on 11 Jun 2019 10:58
5
By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton says that he would have done the same thing that Sebastian Vettel did during the Canadian Grand Prix in order to keep his position.

Vettel slid off the circuit at Turn 3 while battling Hamilton for the lead of the race, and was deemed by the stewards to have rejoined the circuit dangerously.

MORE: Rosberg: Vettel deserved penalty for unsafe rejoin | Canadian Grand Prix driver ratings

The Ferrari driver subsequently received a five-second time penalty, which denied him his first race win of the season while Hamilton inherited the victory.

Speaking about the incident after the race, Hamilton said: "I watched the replay, it's obviously very close.

"What I can say is if I was in the lead and made a mistake and went wide, I probably would have done the same thing.

"It happens so quick, and you're just trying to hold the position. And when I say I'd do the same, I would've tried to squeeze him too.

"That's ultimately what happened. My opinion on that has not shifted. Regarding the rules, say you didn't have that rule, I would have kept it lit and we would have crashed. One way or not it was going to go badly."

Hamilton equals Schumacher's record

Hamilton's triumph means that he equals Michael Schumacher's record of seven victories at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

However, the Briton says he hasn't thought about it, admitting that the win feels "deflated" in light of the penalty controversy.

"I've not really thought about it," Hamilton said. "It feels like a deflated win. Hopefully, by 2021, they design the rules better that enables us to race better than what we currently can today.

"This has always been a great hunting ground for me, it's a place I really love. I always felt like I've been really accepted and supported here. There are a lot of Ferrari fans in Canada.

"We get such a great crowd here, it's in the top three of the best races of the year. I won my first Grand Prix here, lots of pole, it's a place I love driving.

"Today felt a bit odd being booed, but it's not the first time I've been booed. So I'm used to it."

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Ferrari Mercedes

Replies (5)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
I'm sure you would...
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- Jun 11 2019 - 12:31
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I kinda think he would've, but he would've also tried to drive Vettel off the track a la the Rosberg starts, and he would've gotten away with it. Sorry there is me letting the cynic out of the cage again.
  + 0
  
  Jun 11 2019 - 18:23
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Here Hammy, a pair of fresh hinges for your mouth. No, go on. It's a gift.
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- Jun 11 2019 - 18:22
f1ski

Posts: 726
I think had Lewis has the same off the result would have been the same he would have ended up where vettel was or hit the wall
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- Jun 11 2019 - 21:10
2GRX7

Posts: 108
SMH! Here, Hamilton states he would've done the same thing as Seb, and you have to state that his actions would have been even worse than Seb's actions?

A pissed off Seb used his car as a ram on Hamilton in Baku, but you see Hamilton doing worse? Yes Calle.itw, the cynic is truly out!
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- Jun 12 2019 - 16:00