Formula 1

HAMILTON HAS CALLED ON THE FIA : YOU’VE GOT TO SET A RULE

Published

3 years ago

06/09/2020

Lewis Hamilton has called on the FIA to make rule changes following an incident in final practice for the Italian Grand Prix he has described as “hair-raising”.

The six-time F1 champion was forced on to the grass in his Mercedes as he took swift avoiding action from running into the back of the Haas of Romain Grosjean who had pulled out from behind Nicholas Latifi in his Williams.

The two drivers were among a group of seven travelling relatively slowly along the straight that leads into the Parabolica as they ‘queued’ to start their own flying lap.

Despite the stewards calling in all seven drivers – that also included Racing Point duo Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz, AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon for Red Bull – no action was taken as they were unable to determine who was “wholly or predominantly to blame”.

Hamilton, who was called in to explain the incident from his perspective, was caught by surprise that no action was taken.

The Mercedes driver, however, feels clear direction is required in the future. “It’s practice and ultimately it’s going to happen until they put in rules or whatever it is,” said Hamilton.

“When I went [to see the stewards], I got caught up and I just said, ‘Look, you’ve got to set a rule when you’re doing a slow lap, pull off line. It’s just safer.

“So if there’s someone else coming they’ve got a clear road ahead of them. Maybe that’s something they will do in the future.

“I don’t even know if all the drivers will agree on that. Nothing happened, it was a bit hair-raising but it was okay.”

HAMILTON HAS CALLED ON THE FIA : YOU’VE GOT TO SET A RULE HAMILTON HAS CALLED ON THE FIA : YOU’VE GOT TO SET A RULE