Lewis Hamilton produced one of his most daring performances to win the Belgian
Grand Prix yesterday, only to have victory taken away from him by a hugely
controversial retrospective punishment by the race stewards.
Two hours after Hamilton had toasted his triumph with champagne on the podium
after one of Formula One’s classic finishes, the British McLaren Mercedes
driver - he had been celebrating his fifth win of the season - was stunned
to learn that instead of an eight-point lead over Felipe Massa in the
drivers’ championship, his advantage had been cut to two points after he had
been relegated to third place and the Brazilian awarded victory.
Whether the stewards’ decision was right or wrong will be debated for months,
especially if it proves to be the decisive intervention in a championship
battle that looks to be going to the wire with five grands prix to go.
McLaren have notified the FIA, the governing body, that they intend to appeal
against the 25-second drive-through penalty imposed on Hamilton and there
was bitterness among some team members, who believe that their man is being
picked on and that Ferrari drivers get off more lightly whenever a
controversy erupts.
The FIA moved quickly to deny the claims, a team official saying that such a
notion was “entirely risible” and appealing for people to examine the
incident in a “calm and objective” way.
The critical moment came as Hamilton attacked Kimi Raikkonen, Massa’s Ferrari
teammate, at the Bus Stop chicane three laps from the finish. The onset of
rain had thrown Hamilton a risky chance for glory, but he needed to pass
“the Iceman”, who had led from lap two when Hamilton, who started from pole,
spun at La Source.
The leaders entered the chicane side by side as their tyres spewed grey smoke.
After banging wheels with Raikkonen, Hamilton cut across the inside of the
chicane and emerged on to the pit straight ahead of the world champion. In
accordance with the rules, he braked to allow Raikkonen to pass him, before
attacking for a second time, overtaking Raikkonen on the inside. Raikkonen
got back ahead of Hamilton but then crashed out on the penultimate lap as
the drivers struggled with dry tyres on a wet track.
The most regrettable aspect of the affair from Hamilton’s point of view is
that the climax of the grand prix produced arguably his finest performance
in a Formula One car as he went on the attack in the wet, risking a safe
eight points for second place, in an all-out bid for glory.
Having spun while leading from pole at the start of the second lap, he was
determined to take the fight to Raikkonen as the Finn struggled when rain
turned Spa into an ice-rink and Hamilton dazzled as never before. Now he has
to make sure that this decision does not get him down as he chases the title.
Recently, the McLaren driver and his father and manager, Anthony, have talked
about playing the percentages and trying to build consecutive points
finishes to secure the drivers’ championship. But that philosophy went
straight out of his windowless racing car when he smelt blood with three
laps to go. First, he attacked at the chicane, then got ahead on the
straight. Then, after Raikkonen hit him at Turn 1, he drove away only to run
wide and concede the lead again.
In the space of a breathless few minutes of racing, Raikkonen was overtaken by
Hamilton for a second time before the world champion spun his car and hit
the tyre wall, his steering wheel spinning viciously in his hands as his
race ended in destruction.
We should not forget that it took two to tango yesterday. While Hamilton’s
commitment and attacking flair thrilled the crowd, so, too, did Raikkonen’s
response. The Iceman is the ultimate long-game player, but on this occasion
he was like a heavyweight boxer trading punches with Hamilton, before ending
up dazed on the canvas. In the end, his decision to mix it with the British
championship leader proved disastrous because, penalty or not for the
McLaren driver, Raikkonen left Spa with nothing. With five races left, he is
now 18 points off the lead in the championship and, realistically, out of
the running.
That leaves Massa as the principal threat to Hamilton, who, despite his
disappointment, must remain favour-ite to win the world title at only the
second time of asking. The Brazilian did not have one of his better days.
After starting alongside Hamilton on the front of the grid, he drove
cautiously through the Eau Rouge sequence thinking - or so he claimed
afterwards - that it was wetter than it was, and was then jumped by
Raikkonen, his teammate.
Massa then circulated in third place, driving within himself, and admitted
that he was delighted to be effectively given the runners-up position owing
to Raikkonen’s misfortune. He will have been even more delighted, or perhaps
embarrassed, to have subsequently been left in first place by Hamilton’s
demotion. There is a lot of luck involved in Formula One and Massa has had
his share of the bad stuff this season - think of his engine failing in
Hungary three laps from glory - so he may be excused this most unexpected of
victories.
Behind him, Nick Heidfeld, in the BMW Sauber, was one of four drivers who took
the gamble of switching from dry to wet tyres with only two laps left as the
rain came down. He then tore through the field and climbed from seventh to
claim third place, later reclassified as second, with Fernando Alonso, of
Renault, fourth.
Details from Spa
(44 laps): 1, F Massa (Br, Ferrari) 1hr 22min 59.394sec; 2, N Heidfeld (Ger,
BMW Sauber) at 9.383sec behind; 3, *L Hamilton (GB, McLaren Mercedes)
10.539; 4, F Alonso (Sp, Renault) 14.478; 5, S Vettel (Ger, Toro Rosso
Ferrari) 14.576; 6, R Kubica (Pol, BMW Sauber) 15.037; 7, S Bourdais (Fr,
Toro Rosso Ferrari) 16.735; 8, M Webber (Aus, Red Bull Renault) 42.776; 9, T
Glock (Ger, Toyota) 67.045; 10, H Kovalainen (Fin, McLaren Mercedes); 11, D
Coulthard (GB, Red Bull Renault); 12, N Rosberg (Ger, Williams Toyota); 13,
A Sutil (Ger, Force India Ferrari); 14, K Nakajima (Japan, Williams Toyota);
15, J Button (GB, Honda); 16, J Trulli (It, Toyota); 17, G Fisichella (It,
Force India Ferrari) all 1 lap behind; 18, K Raikkonen (Fin, Ferrari) 2
laps. Retired: 19, R Barrichello (Br, Honda) 19 laps completed; 20, N Piquet
Jr (Br, Renault) 13 laps. * 25sec penalty for impeding Raikkonen
Fastest lap: Raikkonen 1min 47.930 (lap 24).
Qualifying: 1, Hamilton 1min 47.338sec; 2, Massa 1:47.678; 3,
Kovalainen 1:47.815; 4, Raikkonen 1:47.992; 5, Heidfeld 1:48.315; 6, Alonso
1:48.504; 7, Webber 1:48.736; 8, Kubica 1:48.763; 9, Bourdais 1:48.951; 10,
Vettel 1:50.319. Eliminated after second session: 11, Trulli 1:46.46.949;
12, Piquet 1:46.965; 13, Glock 1:46.995; 14, Coulthard 1:47.018; 15, Rosberg
1:47.429. Eliminated after first session: 16, Barrichello 1:48.153; 17,
Button 1:48.211; 18, Sutil 1:48.226; 19, Nakajima 1:48.268; 20, Fisichella
1:48.447.
World Championship positions
Drivers: 1, Hamilton 76pts; 2, Massa 74; 3, Kubica 58; 4, Raikkonen 57;
5, Heidfeld 49; 6, Kovalainen 43; 7, Trulli 26; 8, Alonso 23; 9, Webber 19;
10, Glock 15; 11, Piquet 13; 12, Vettel 13; 13, Barrichello 11; 14, Rosberg
9; 15, Nakajima 8; 16, Coulthard 6; 17, Bourdais 4; 18, Button 3.
Constructors: 1, Ferrari 131; 2, McLaren Mercedes 119; 3, BMW Sauber
107; 4, Toyota 41; 5, Renault 36; 6, Red Bull Renault 25; 7, Williams Toyota
17; 8, Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari 17; 9, Honda 14.
Grands Prix to come: Sept 14: Italian GP (Monza). Sept 28: Singapore
GP. Oct 12: Japanese GP (Fuji). Oct 19: Chinese GP (Shanghai). Nov 2:
Brazilian GP (Interlagos).
Hamilton was caught out by the 'end of lap rule'
ie- he must give up places gained by cutting a corner by the end of the lap on which it occured, and must be completely behind cars he cut.
In which case he lost a GP by 4 inches!
Appeal wil find in Lewis' favour, builds for a better finale !
gordon bibby, w'boro, UK
Lewis was punished for taking a short cut, what about all the others that went over, even if it was nto avoid a collision, punish all who went over the shortcut right from the start of the race, did you give him the time penalty because you wanted farari to win? Might give upb watching now.
Ian, stoke-by-nayland, GB
I am disgusted at what happened once again to a very very talented driver- Lewis Hamilton. It is a shame that the sport cannot appreciate his talent,grace and sportmanship. There is nobody in his league not even Michael Schumacker was. This guy was born to drive - like Senna . You killing the sport.
Gavin , Richmond , UK
Kimi in Monaco, Masa in Valencia and Masa in Spa. Is it the FIA that control F1......??
When will the FIA stop with the witch hunt against McLaren and allow the championship to be decided by the drivers....?
I have watched every race for the past ten years, but not any more.
Good Luck Lewis
Jon , Higham Ferrers, Northants
well we have to learn to win and play fair! spy story and playing subtil games in the race is damaging us. lewis took a gamble playing with the rules just to satisfy his childish racing instinct. he has done too many mistakes.even lost head of race with silly error! ferrari deserved to win (sigh).
pete, london,
Stay strong Lewis.
Interesting that Hamilton get's penalized after the race.
I've yet to hear the verdict on Raikkonen running over his crew member.
Wasn't that incident supposed to be ruled on after race? Even though the pit debacle occurred well before the end of the race.
Hmmm.
N, Toronto,
The actual ruling aside, the process involved is laughable. A ruling should be made in-race and an errant driver flagged and penalised at the time. To get to a chequered flag, podium presentation, and conclude a press conference before over-turning the result is a joke. I hope LH lifts the title.
Neil heslop, Christchurch, New Zealand
Yes, Lewis -- stay strong because JESUS WILL HELP YOU! Egads. Do you really think God watches sporting events and helps out the players? Please don't answer.
Kee, Los Angeles, USA
I can only hope this mindless decision does not affect Lewis's confidence. The FIA should rethink there rulings when drives give back places and then re take them in a far mannor, as Lewis did at Spa.
Paul Fletcher, Doncaster, UK
Rules are to be followed. Hamilton made a mistake, was punished and that´s it. He is a such great driver, but sometimes seems to be erratic. I think some experience will help him out.
Vinicius Cunha, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Lewis, We are with you in this. Just hold yourself together and you will make the win come Sunday. Remember that you can do all things through Christ who strenghens you.
Genevieve, Tema, Ghana
Perhaps the FIA should just publish the race results before the race and then we can put all the controversy behind us. The only disrepute in F1 for the last two years has been by Max and his FIA minions. The sport is about the cars and drivers - not the non-racing bureaucrats.
Steve Newman, Victoria, Canada
Brilliant headline. Don't let the bar stewards grind you down", Lewis
Tim, Dundee, Scotland
Last year's controversy between supporters of LH and FA made me ashame of my Spanish neighbours but in this case I must say that the newspapers i’ve read and the sports programs in TV are coincident: it’s unfair to loose in the backoffice what’s been won in the track.: the penalty is unfair.
Toni, Sant Cugat, Catalunya (Spain)
Do you remember the hungarian GP in 2006? Schumacher(Ferrari) was racing De la rosa(McLaren) and cut across the chicane three times, but the Kaiser didn't punished.
Joan, Barcelona, Spain
For as much as I hate to see races decided off the track, I have to acknowledge that LH's misfortunes are of his own making. Cutting a chicane and overtaking the car in front warrants a penalty. It's the driver's responsibility to prove beyond reasonable doubt he did not gain. LH did not do enough.
Andrea, London, UK
I'm surprised they didn't give it to Raikkonen because if you look at the finish in slow mo then would see a bit of red carbon fiber shoot off LH front wheel and pass the finish line first !!!!!!
Haydn, London,
That was such an exciting race. Lewis ran through the chicane in order to avoid he & Kimi wrecking. He alllowed Kimi to pass, and then overtook him, fairly. Watching the emotions from both pit crews was priceless! To take this victory away leaves a terrible taste in the mouth of most F1 fans.
Marques , Denver, USA
Lewis shouldn't have bothered lifting after the chicane: He could have built up a lead where a 25 second penalty didn't matter. Shame on the FIA for spoiling the most exciting F1 finish in ages.
Trevor, Perth, Australia
I don't believe that the stewards at the race had any ulterior motive just that they looked at the incident in a letter of the law fashion which indicated in their opinion some advantage was benefitted. Perhaps if appeal is allowed then maybe the sprit of the law may be taken into account.
STEVEN PRUSSIA, EDGWARE, ENGLAND
I agree, with Roger - things always get a bit mickey mouse towards the end of the season. I can't remember many years where things have not gone down to the last race.
Shame, amazing race from Lewis, but he's been hammered yet again.
Gavin , Hampton, United Kingdom
Why is it that when it is to Ferrari's benefit the penalty even when gthere shouldn't be a penalty is an addition of time resulting in loss of points WHEN only two weeks ago for Ferrari not to miss a point the penalty was meted out in a fine.
I think that FIA should be taken to task.
Albert Critien, Naxxar, MALTA
I am sure the viewing statistics will prove that more and more viewers only tune in to watch the start and finish of the races, what happens in between is becoming more and more predictable and boring which is bad news for F1,
Martin, Spain,
Monza next and who tends to win there? Ferrari of course.
Scamp, Aberdeenshire,
Disgusting !
Shame on FIA!!!
For me its enough.
Good luck Lewis i hope you win the championship
joao, Lisbon, Portugal
Till now the season has been very dull.The FIA might have thought to spice things up before the new singapore grandprix.Now the race for the titl is interesting.
Santos M, Hyderabad, INDIA
If that's the standard of Stewardship, then I for one have no further interest in the sport. Hamilton was clearly the better driver, and gave way as he was supposed to do. Then if Raikkonen can keep it on the track, why should Hamilton be penalised. Are Ferrari controlling the stewards????
Roger S, Solihull, W.Mids UK
That is it for me, been watch F1 for a long time! but now, we see that FIA just want Ferrari to win again,(its been that was ever since the other teams were talking about leaveing F1!) so now see have seen that Ferrari can not do it on the track so they have taked to this way of Wining. Rubbish!
tim comben, birmenstorf, Switzerland
Hamilton cut the corner and then passed his opponent on the very next one. In every class of racing I have ever watched or been involved in that's called gaining advantage. He got the usual penalty for that offence. What's the problem?
Daniel, Newcastle, Australia,
This comes as no surprise if you saw the GP2 race on Sat - some truely perverse penalties handed down by clerk of the course. Apparently you're no longer allowed to race and overtake in racing anymore - or is it just so long ago that they saw this they've forgetten what motor racing is all about.
MIB, Warcs, uk
another decision biased towards Ferrari, why was Massa nor given a drive through penalty for his pit lane performance at the last GP in Valencia.
Those of us who have followed GPs over the last 40 yrs know how decisions have always favored the Red cars
simon cronin, winchester, hants
I watch every Formula 1 race and I am appalled at the way McLaren are being treated. Lewis Hamilton done nothing wrong, he reminds me of a young Schumakker so why is he being penalised . It is not Massa's fault but if I were him I would be embarrased he was nowhere near Lewis at the finish.
Jean Schiech, Basrrow Upon Humber, England
I hope all the remaining Grand Prix are in wet weather conditions. Why? Because the Ferrari drivers hate wet weather conditions. Massa prefers dry tracks and so does Raikonnen. Whilst Hamilton excels in wet conditions.
louis, Liverpool, UK
Shurely shome mishtake. Surely you mean 'Finn produced one of his most daring performances to win the Belgian Grand Prix only to have victory taken away from him' - because that is what happened.
Lewis Hamilton = The New Senna, in more ways than one.
Mika Hakkinen, Tokyo, Japan
There is no way I'm going to stop watching F1 now. Lewis needs all of our support & it's at this time that everyone needs to pull together & back him up.
Let's not abandon him people. Let's give him a standing ovation and ensure he knows how much support he has. That's the best way to fight back!
Will Harris, London, UK
Once again, an appalling decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's going on with F1??????
CD Knoetze, PRETORIA, RSA
Echos of eurovision song contest fracas, the sport will suffers
Terry, Purley, England
Absolute joke - he let Kimi back through then Kimi crashed out anyway - end of story!
Matthew, Hagen, France
The Stewards (as I saw live) will see from Lewis race data he didnt brake on the straight, just lifted off a little and used the situation to his advantage at turn 1, against the spirit of racing. He should have waited after turn 1 once order had been restored, as he would have passed him anyway
Jason M, London, UK
funny to read you britons complain about the stewards and the post-race penalization on lewis. last season he was very lucky with the stewards desitions. I say we would have a different world champion if it wasn´t for some investigatons and post qualifiying penalty... this F1 racing...
Imanol, spain,
So Formula 1's first black driver has now been penalised five times in the last thirteen races. Is this really purely Ferrari bias or is there something else at work here? Maybe, maybe not - but the FIA ought to be careful about the way this could look.
James Green, Leeds, UK
Would Hamilton have been in a position to overtake at the next corner if he had gone round the chicane instead of through it? Whether he gave back the place after the chicane isnt the issue.
Doug, Gisborne,
Ferrari's former boss soon to be head of the FIA. Coincidence? Charlie Whiting himself said there was absolutely no issue with the move at the end of the race. Somehow he completely changed his mind? Old Mr Whippy pulling the strings.
Robert Wheeler, Watford,
The last year conspiracy against McLaren continue in 2008. FIA and it stewards are upsetting F1 show. We attended one of the most thrilling GP in the season. Hamilton pushed hard whitin three lap to a secured 8 points. He risked in a tricky conditions for two added points but also for the show.
BAKKALI Mohamed Nidar, Tangier, Morocco
This decision stinks! Bernie E needs to ensure that his circus doesn't decend deeper into farce!!! Millions will not bother to watch anymore and thats not going to please the sponsor money men! Sort it out! From an F1 fan of many years who is wondering if its worth his attention anymore.
Peter, Runwell, UK
Formula One fans are generally fair people, just wanting to see a great race. We saw some great racing yesterday but this decision is simply wrong. I used to LOVE Formula One but I am not sure if I will continue watching. Something stinks in the FIA!
Chris, Harrogate, England
F1 has been ruined not only by some ridiculous decisions over the years, but also by Mosely, Ecclestone, The FIA and Ferrari whinging.
Hamilton gave up the lead after the chicane, even though he was ahead going into the corner. Beside that, Raikkonen practically forced Hamilton off the track.
graham, Florida (Ex Pat), USA
F1 = Ferrari 1.
I can't believe I waste so much of my time on this so called "sport". The sooner these teams form a breakaway championship - the better.
Jim, London,
To race or not to race, that is the question. This decision will encourage the procession we all hate so much. Lewis would have had more points if you had just sat in the traffic jam. Is that the future of F1?
Brian, Crawley, UK
Hamilton was pushed off the road trying to goaround the outside, a legit move, then adfter getting past the Ferrari backed off to let him past again, rhus negating any advantage! Hamilton then got past the Ferrari in a properley brave overtaking move. What is the matter with these stewards?
Pete Davis, London, England
These comments just show that you don't know the rules! To Lewis supporters: he is unfair and his car is doing well "thanks" to the shameful spy-story and the information stolen from Ferrari last year. And don't forget what he did to Kimi in Canada! That's the truth. See you in 2009 Lewis...
Meg, Rome,
Despite everything, the really good thing to witness (which cannot be overturned) was the stunning manner in which Lewis demonstrated he is a superior racer than Kimi. Kimi now knows what Alonso also knows - Lewis is the top dog on the track and there is nothing the FIA can do to change that fact!!!
Carlo Van Hinsk, Shooters Hill, UK
How exactly was Hamilton "wrong" Luis???
An FIA representative told MClaren that Louis abided by the rules by allowing Kimi to retake the lead after cutting the chicane.
Did you actually WATCH the race?
The stewards made a biased ruling, simple as...
Andy, Dunstable, UK
"Luis, Malaga, España" you don't have an axe to grind do you? Don't get me wrong I am not a hamilton fan but Max Mosley and his mates are laughable biased to ferrari. Lets see what they can fix at Monza
Philip, London,
The Q is 'Did Lewis gain an advantage by cutting the corner'. A: Yes he did. Had he followed Kimi round the corner he would have been further behind and would not have been in a position to ovetake where he did. A shame as he was so much faster he would easily have passed later. 25 secs was 2 harsh.
Iain Cunningham, Ashton, UK
It would be interesting to see whether LH would have been so 'brave' to make the move had the chicane been bounded by a guardrail as in days gone by and not a run-off area as is the case these days....
Patrick, London, UK
If you want to follow F1, following are the facts
1. The starting lineup is the winning order (Drivers: Dont overtake, Stewards are watching you!)
2. Ferrari wins everythig
LH can never win title in F1 unless he joins Ferrari...
One more fan off F1
Anoop, Bangalore, India
This is a perfect opportunity for people to ask their MP's to question why the BBC had to pay over £200million to broadcast the rights to a corrupt sport!
Tony Garret, london,
This quote from Niki Lauda:
"This is the worst judgement in the history of F1. The most perverted judgement I have ever seen. It's absolutely unacceptable when three functionaries influence the championship like this"
Niki Lauda. F1 World Champion. For Ferrari.
QED.
Alastair Johnson, Alicante, Spain
I am totally in agreement with Stephen, St. Ives, England, this is a white man's sport, LH should find another career. FIA are such hypocrites, if this was in the thirdworld country it would be corruption, but that doesn't exist in west! Disgraceful to say the least!
mathias banda, Glos, UK
At the start of each F1 season, the FIA might as well declare that Ferrari will win the drivers and constructors championship no matter how incompetent the Ferrari drivers are. The rest can then fight over the remaining positions. The FIA have done themselves no favours with such a risible decision.
louis, Liverpool, UK
Hamilton was wrong. that is the truth.
Luis, Malaga, España
It is now certain beyond any contradiction that the Stewards
favour Ferrari. Hamilton raced entirely correctly and indeed honourably and to be denied this victory is a severe indictment
on the FIA.
Anthony, Child Okeford
Anthony Bolton, Child Okeford, UK
FIA = Ferrari International Assistance
Brit, Edinburgh,
What happened to a 10 sec penalty? No! A 10 sec penalty would have given Hamilton a win. Ferrari wouldnt agree to that. The FIA by agreeing with Ferrari the type of penalty have brought the sport into disrepute.
Callum Alban, Liverpool, UK
Hamilton did not allow kimi to overtake him in a clear way (one car after another). Watch the video. Till that lap I was thinking, "wow Hamilton has calmed down and thinking on the Championship rather than the race." But instead, rush!! and punishment again. Papa should teach you better.
JoseBelgica, Brussels, Belgium
Some of these comments are disgraceful. How on earth can people claim that Hamilton did not let Raikonnen past? He was DIRECTLY behind Raikonnen on the straight afterwards. Other commensts seem to imply that he should know his place, and not have ambition. We see what colours these views, I think.
John, London,
FIA's stewards should be selected by the teams & be experienced ex-F1 drivers. I bet that Stewart, Hill, Moss, Brundle etc. will soon all agree with Lauda that LH's penalty was not deserved. This is more of S&M Mosley's FIA fixing races for Ferrari & hitting Mclaren. I'll never pay to see F1 again!
Tony, LONDON, UK
Remember last year with Alonso in Hungary?? Remember when Hamilton was got back to track illegaly in Germany last year? It is so ironic how life changes!!
Stephen, Manchester,
Why don't they just mark 20 lanes on the circuit and not allow any driver out of their lane the entire race? It's a shame the FIA dislikes open competition.
gTarded, Las Vegas, USA
If the FIA want to prove that they are not biassed towards Ferrari then this is not the way to go about it. Lewis complied with all the requirements, how can he have gained an advantage when he was a cars length behind down the pit straight.
Bill, Kilwinning,
The FIA thinks it is "entriely risible" that they do not act even handedly. I think the administration of this sport is completely risible and both live and TV audiences will vote with their feet.
John Merchant, Glasgow, UK
The Stewards? At best incompetent,at worst corrupt.
TERRY BRAGINTON, CHINNOR,OXON., UK
If a penalty is to be given, it should be given during the race. That way, the driver (Hamilton in this case but could be anyone) does not risk his life for nothing. After all, these guys put their lives on the line every time they race...
deepak, London, UK
What happens to Kimi when he used the outside of the track to get extra grip and almost overtook Lewis?
Kimi crashed out, so it's irrelevant if Lewis got an advantage on him. So why is Massa the one that benefits?
It's politics, so that the season keeps competitive until the end of the series.
Joao, Leeds,
The F1 organisers have too much to lose if the champiomnship does not go through to the last race and we will see further examples of stewards determining race winners before the close of this season. And it has nothing to do with favouring Ferrari or Maclaren.
Roger, Garden Route, South Africa
What a surprise a British sportsman has an appalling decision made against him and no doubt this will end up costing him the championship! Nevermind Hamilton keep your head up there is still a long way to go. You are a better driver than Massa and this has and will show through on the track!
Sarah, London, UK
Rubbish, and typical of all that is bad about Formula 1 'racing', After a long time of being bored to death with the parade events, I was watching this by accident, and was enthralled by both racers having a go. After this I will leave again.
Norman Clark, Savigny-en-Revermont, France
For the first time in years we actually get some excitement in a F1Race.
Thought it was to good to be true. Thats the end of F1 for me.
Mike, Berlin,
Had Hamilton been in a position to pass there on any previous laps? No. He did not need to cut the corner but typical gamesmanship move. He should have waited to try to pass after next corner.
Mattej, Wadhurst, UK
I don't understand why it was an unfair decision. Hadn't Hamilton be so close to Kimi after the incident he wouldn't have been able to overtake. Had the normal processes happened we might have seen Kimi as the winner. So what Hamilton had been dished out was his own making, not stewards' .
Pranab, Bangalore, India
Absolutely disgusting....The race stewards seem to use different yardsticks for different teams....It was really excruciating to watch LH come so close and lose last year...I hope the same thing does not happen this year as well...
Prem, Bangalore, India
It is a strange world, if I had been a steward, I would have possibly penalised Raikkonen for dangerous driving. Hamilton appeared to attempt to avoid contact with Raikkonen during their lap 43 battle.
Richard, Bucharest,
This is one of the reason I only turn to F1 to watch the Starting time and Finishing time.
This so-called Steward are really sided with Ferrari not for this time but number of time in the past.
It is truly ridiculous decision I ever heard from the F1.
Thunder, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
They should put the cameras in the Stewards' room since that's where the result is decided.
Probably also more interesting to watch since most GPs seem to involve whoever is in the lead after the 1st turn heading a procession to the chequered flag.
Cyril, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Lewis deserves the penalty, If you look carefully he did not let raikkonen pass him properly and made the move again which is illegal. He should've let kimi through properly. His car's front wheel were ahead of raikkonen's back wheel he should have let Kimi's car totally ahead of him.
Mayank, Delhi, India
It was a fair decision. LH is a good driver and he will have the chance to show his ability in the next races.
Mark, São Paulo, Brazil
Rules exist to be obeyed. Congratulations, Massa!
Alain, Paris, France
The reason Hamilton had to cut the corner wasn't just that Raikkonen forced him of he actually contacted the McLaren car, if thathad been Hamilton he would have been disqualified. I'm beginning to suspect racism, they don't want a black man to win F1.
Stephen, St. Ives, England
I watched on TV on the battle between Raikkonen and Hamilton and what Hamilton did was sportmanship. The stewards in penalising McLaren were just an attempt to slice Hamilton lead on the points. Both McLaren were penalised and it is most unusual.
sk, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am embarrassed to admit I follow this "sport".
I have better things to do with my time, than watch what I have come to realize is the motorsports equivalent of "Professional Wrestling"
Are we really expected to pay attention to this garbage?
Maybe we should just have all the races like Valencia?
Stu Sutherland, Montclair, NJ, USA
After watching some of the best laps I've ever seen in F1 I am dismayed that the governing body is still effectively destroying it's own sport like this!
Maybe Lewis could ditch f1 and take on Indy - they at least still know what the word 'race' means.
Richard, Derby, England
If that had been Schumi who made Hamilton's pass, the Stewards would be taking him out for a drink and saying what a brilliant move it was. Are they trying to make F1 stay as the processional races that they had been in previous seasons?
John Sprinzel, Molokai, Hawaii, USA
I strongly feel that this is ONE of the most appalling displays of bias and incompetence ever displayed by the FIA. The McLaren clearly had a speed advantage over Ferrari in the wet . The short sighted officials could not have seen Kimi drive into the back of Lewis seconds later. FIA will kill F1.
Sharkey, Brighton , UK
that's just crazy
raphael, covington, usa
I have to totally agree with Glenn in Melbourne, what an utter disgrace this decision is. These drivers are not operating at a normal road going mind set, they are RACING within a set of rules which even Charlie White the senior race organizer thought had not been broken. ANOTHER FERRARI FIT UP?
Keith, Stoke Fleming, England
i think f1 is running by ferrari team because when they do mistake no problem but other do.what a shame for other team supporter
anil lama, feltham, unitedkingdom
Crazy behaviour by the stewards. Lewis won fair and square
adrian, ann arbor, USA
Lewis clearly gave the place back to Kimi and yet Ferrari can barge their way out of the pits in Spain and recieve only a small fine- where is the consistency?
This just stinks!!
Dave Barlow, Shrewsbury, England
Some of the decisions by the FIA make NASCAR look positively brilliant. At least NASCAR will throw a yellow flag for "debris" to tighten things up. FIA has brought the sport into disrepute for the second year in a row. Disgusting!
Steve, Lecompton, USA
Hamilton had what he deserved. His father and him are paying for their ambitious. He would be alright on the 2o. place. Massa was behind him so, he was safe...
The penalty was fair. Hamilton has a lot to learn before being a champion.
Richard, london, england
A total disgrace - Appeal! or boycott! Why doesn't Kimi get penalised for his offtrack excursions & shortcuts? At the chicane it was Kimi driving Lewis off the road. If this is how F1 is going to be conducted, we might as well stop watching. Time to dump FIA & start the breakaway series!
James, Singapore, Singapore
Why bother racing if the stewards are going to decide who wins!!!
It does seem that Ferrari has above the rest influence on officials
in Formula One.
McLaren Mercedes got dinged for 100 million last year apparently that wasn't enough...
Doug, Livermore, USA
the decision by the stewards was always going to be borderline,no surprise then that it came down on the italian side of the border AGAIN.
JIM, sheffield, england
Hamilton deserves the 25 sec penalty and is totally unsporting in his quest for championship. The manner in which Hamilton gives the lead back to Kimi was right. Hamilton deliberately caused Kimi to slow down while letting him pass and challenge the position even before Kimi car has a clear lead.
Andrew, Singapore, Singapore
Ferrari Int'l Assistance intervenes once again to save Ferrari from themselves......Formula Farce should be the new name for the "sport".
LT, Melbourne, Australia
It is Ferrari who will win the Championship this season, as they did last season. It is Ferrari who pull the strings behind the scenes of F1. As a team Ferrari can do no wrong (no matter what they actually do wrong).
Dare I bring in the race card?
The decision taken at Spa was appalling.
Glynn, Stafford, England
So now we know F1 is corrupt. Or populated by the stupid.
Tony Gold, London,
This decision to give Hamilton a 25 second penalty was disgraceful. Him and Kimi where in a dog fight, Lewis did the right thing in giving the lead back to the Ferrari.
25 second penalty is just laughable. Ferrari have the officials in there back pockets. Just a total joke!!!!
Glenn, Melbourne, Australia