Lewis Hamilton received the British Grand Prix on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton’s controversial first-lap transfer on world championship rival Max Verstappen on the British Grand Prix was “absolutely in line with the overtaking guide”, his Mercedes workforce insisted Wednesday. Verstappen accused seven-time world champion Hamilton of being “dangerous, disrespectful and unsportsmanlike” following their collision at Silverstone on Sunday. Red Bull’s Verstappen needed to retire from the race whereas Hamilton went on to win, slashing the Dutchman’s lead within the championship from 33 factors to only eight.
“As far as we are concerned, the manoeuvre that took place, the manoeuvre that Lewis did, was absolutely in line with the FIA’s overtaking guide,” mentioned Mercedes technical chief James Allison.
Hamilton was penalised 10 seconds for the incident.
“Lewis definitely was substantially alongside. He had his front axle well beyond the midpoint of Verstappen’s car,” added Allison.
“It requires you are substantially alongside and it requires that you must be able to make the corner. By make the corner it means go round the corner and not leave the track or lose control of the automotive. Those are the issues that you must fulfill.
“If you can go round the corner, if you are substantially alongside the other car then the corner is yours.”
He added: “I did really feel that it was harsh to get the penalty.
“This is about what are the foundations to do with overtaking and I did not see that Lewis did something incorrect with respect to these guidelines.
