Lewis Hamilton and the three other drivers who were investigated for running wide at turn two have all been cleared.
All four were investigated for violating track limits by failing to rejoin the track correctly after running wide at turn two. All four drivers committed the errors during their first laps of the session in F1.Each driver had their lap time deleted for the infringements, but no further action was taken against any of them.
According to the stewards all four drivers accepted they had not correctly followed the race drivers’ instructions on how to rejoin the track. In an update issued on Saturday morning, drivers were told they must drive between the blocks to the left of turn two if they touched the orange kerbs with any part of their car.
The stewards reminded the teams and drivers that they same infringement will be handled differently if it occurs during Sunday’s grand prix. “A failure to negotiate turn two as defined in the event notes during the race will likely lead to a five second time penalty,” they noted.
No penalty points were issued for the infringement. This will come as a relief to Hamilton, who already has eight, and four more would result in an automatic one-race ban.
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MrBoerns (@mrboerns)
26th September 2020, 15:56
So what’s it gonna be? lets just get rid of the silly white lines altogether, fastest around the carpark without crashing wins
DeanR
26th September 2020, 16:04
I’m aware of your alligencies but surely you can see that if these drivers did go around the bollards/ boards on the laps they were on, then it would have been much more dangerous than if they continued as they did? They had their times deleted, end of. Seems fair.
XMG (@)
26th September 2020, 16:05
They still had the laptimes deleted.
Aiii (@)
26th September 2020, 16:19
Why not? They’ll all end up racing the same ideal line anyways.
This whole track limit business is beyond ridiculous, it’s just adding frustration when end of day, there’s only one line with maybe some very minor variations that’s going to be quickest and they’ll all find that line by qualifying.
Put some slowing measures in the run-of areas and quit complaining about running half a meter too far over a kerb here and there.
slowmo (@slowmo)
26th September 2020, 17:47
They lost the lap times so what other penalty was realistically required, its not like the race where you gain a lasting advantage. The penalty for crossing the track limits was already applied.
LB (@burden93)
26th September 2020, 16:02
Good decision, let’s hope for a good race!
ColdFly (@)
26th September 2020, 16:07
They could at least have included them in the list of drivers who got an inconsequential ‘penalty’ at Mugello.
Felix
26th September 2020, 16:19
Hammer time Lewis Hamilton tomorrow 🙌
Neil (@neilosjames)
26th September 2020, 16:20
Probably sensible. I’m all for ‘run-off chicanes’ being enforced in the race to give some penalty for running wide, but in practice/qualifying they don’t really serve much of a purpose.
Dom (@3dom)
26th September 2020, 16:24
The thing with this as well is that although they cut the track, it is definitely significantly slower to do so in this instance with the sausage kerbs so there’s already some penalty being paid. I have far more of an issue when track limit is are abused to gain a significant advantage
Dom (@3dom)
26th September 2020, 16:21
This makes sense. Other drivers had their laps deleted and had another chance to get in another lap. Trying to apply a penalty after the session without letting the drivers know they were deemed to have committed an infringement denies them that opportunity. If they’re informed in a timely manner then they still have the penalty of having to use up extra tyres, risk of an on track incident, and then there’s more action on track to boot
Broderick Harper (@banbrorace)
26th September 2020, 16:34
Where ‘Tom”? I thought Hamilton was starting at the back of the grid, according to this WUM a couple of hours ago!!
DeanR
26th September 2020, 17:48
😂 he will back at the first glimmer of a chance to hammer Lewis. The guy is kind of funny 😂
Simon
26th September 2020, 17:22
‘The stewards reminded the teams and drivers that “a failure to negotiate turn two as defined in the event notes during the race will likely lead to a five second time penalty.”’
Or not, if recent decisions are anything to go by… 🙄 🤷♂️
RP (@slotopen)
26th September 2020, 17:27
I feel this should have been resolved before the next session started.
Race control seems to be struggling this year. The too late pit lane closure at Monza. At Mugello the safety car picking up Bottas instead of Hamilton Then the mess caused by using the start finish line as the overtake line after safety car restarts, combined with turning out the safety car lights too late.
Now a snafu around track limits.
Race control is responsible for keeping the weekend safe. I think there need to be some changes.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
26th September 2020, 17:29
I only saw the Hamilton one, but he seen the photos in the previous article. I think this is the correct decision here. They’re all at speed on that apex. To break and swerve as extremely as would be needed to get through those blocks would be ridiculous especially when they’re losing the lap time anyway.
Surely its more a case of if you don’t even attempt the corner / head straight into the run off, that the blocks actually make sense?
HAL
26th September 2020, 18:17
Happy with the verdict. All the conspiracy theory fans (Ferrari this, Dominicali that) will, at least for a few minutes, shut up…
Esploratore (@esploratore)
27th September 2020, 0:14
Relief for hamilton since he already had 8 penalty points? He can get a race ban no problem and win the title this year…
Esploratore (@esploratore)
27th September 2020, 0:14
Oh, wait, this and the past years actually, looking at the final standings.