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Hakkinen: Stewards investigation over Verstappen's overtake a 'shame'

Published on 02 Jul 2019 14:27
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By: Fergal Walsh

Mika Hakkinen believes it's a shame that the stewards deemed it necessary to investigate Max Verstappen's race-clinching overtake on Charles Leclerc at the Austrian Grand Prix.

In the final laps, the Red Bull and Ferrari drivers went head to head for the lead of the race, with Verstappen passing Leclerc at Turn 3.

MORE: Marko thought victory shot was over after race start | Horner: 2019 Austria win tastes better than 2018

However, the stewards opted to look into the overtaking manoeuvre as the two clashed wheels which saw Leclerc take to the run-off area.

No penalty was handed out for the move, but Hakkinen says it's a shame that it got to that stage.

"It is a shame that there was some uncertainty over whether the Stewards might apply a penalty for Max’s overtaking manoeuvre on Charles," he wrote in his Unibet column.

"To me, it was a clear example of hard but fair overtaking. When the two cars got to the apex of the corner Max had made the overtake.

"I understand why Leclerc trying to stay on the outside but you cannot use the run-off area to overtake. It was good racing, and Max really deserved this victory."

Honda win 'good news' for Formula 1

Hakkinen added that Honda's win, its first in the turbo hybrid era, is important for F1 as all current engine manufacturers have been able to come out on top in a Grand Prix.

"It was an important win for Honda, and this is good news for Formula 1 because it is important for all the car manufacturers supporting the World Championship to have their moment of success.

"Honda has been a strong supporter of Formula 1 since the 1960s and it is great to see them on top of the podium again after several years of disappointment."

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

Listening and reading the post-race discussions around it, as someone who found it a waste of time to have the investigation, right now I feel the investigation was vindicated, because the outcome strengthened Max' move as correct. There is no real debate to be had now, because they looked at it ... [Read more]

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Jul 2 2019 - 21:44

F1 News Max Verstappen Charles Leclerc Mika Häkkinen Red Bull Racing Ferrari

Replies (5)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Listening and reading the post-race discussions around it, as someone who found it a waste of time to have the investigation, right now I feel the investigation was vindicated, because the outcome strengthened Max' move as correct. There is no real debate to be had now, because they looked at it from all the angles they've got and decided it was a fair move. This coming from someone who prefer Leclerc over Max... But also prefer Honda over Ferrari, so imagine how Schitzophrenic I feel...
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- Jul 2 2019 - 21:44
- michielhimself
  
  Posts: 132
  Re. Schizophrenic: you realise you're often mostly talking to yourself here, don't you? ;-)
  + 0
  
  Jul 3 2019 - 08:07
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Sorry, I'm too busy writing a compelling reply to one of my interesting comments! ;P
  
  Jokes aside, I do tend to post a lot of comments, but usually I stick to subjects that is anything Honda or that I find interesting, and usually it's just to voice my opinion or to fish for the opinions of others. I could probably do with posting fewer, but I generally fancy a discussion or two here, when they come around. :)
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  Jul 3 2019 - 17:21
f1ski

Posts: 726
Michielhimself your name says it Calle has it right on most of the time. Vettel incident was racing. F1 has become autocross. Read Hakkinens take on Canada it was very good he and I only disagreed on whether hamilton should have tried to pass on the left.
Calle given the option of pitman race weekend or weekend spent talking F1 with Newey what would your choice be.? Mine Newey
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- Jul 3 2019 - 12:07
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Hmm, good question, I'm probably leaning towards pitman. I'd really like to look around the pits and see what's going on in more detail.
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  Jul 3 2019 - 13:16