Hamilton: I didn't break rules
2008-09-08 07:57
Belgium - Lewis Hamilton insisted on Sunday that he did not deserve to be stripped of his thrilling Belgian Grand Prix victory.
The McLaren-Mercedes driver was penalised 25 seconds, and demoted to third place, for cutting a chicane in the closing stages of the rain-hit race as he duelled with Ferrari world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
The 23-year-old Hamilton, who saw title rival Felipe Massa promoted from second place to race winner, had to use the run-off area at the famed Bus Stop chicane in an evasive move to prevent a collision with Raikkonen.
He immediately ceded the lead to the Finn to prevent accusations of having gained an unfair advantage and insisted that he had not broken the rules.
"I left him (Raikkonen) enough room, yet he picked up more pace going into the corner, and drove me as wide as he possibly could," said Hamilton before the sanction was announced.
"This is motor racing and if there's a penalty, then there's something wrong because I was ahead going into that corner, so I didn't gain an advantage from it.
Appeal the punishment
"We were still able to race at the next corner and I gave him his spot back, and I think it was fair and square, so I think it would be absolutely wrong (to be punished for the move). But you know what they (the stewards) are like, so we will see."
McLaren said they will appeal the punishment, which reduced Hamilton's lead over Massa to just two points in the title chase with five races left, with the FIA.
Raikkonen never made it to the finish, spinning off the rain-sodden circuit and crashing into the barrier just moments after the controversial incident with Hamilton.
McLaren team principal Ron Dennis praised Hamilton's actions on the track.
"That was a sensational Grand Prix, which kept everyone on the edge of their seats, whomever they were supporting," said Dennis.
"But our car is slightly superior to that of our opposition in slippery conditions, so when the rain came we were reasonably confident that Lewis would be able to press home his advantage.
Won the race fairly
"He duly took the lead, finished first on the track, but then received a 25-second time penalty. After the race we registered our intention to appeal it."
Mercedes vice-president of motorsport chief Norbert Haug insisted that Hamilton had won the race fairly.
"Lewis took victory on the track which he lost following the stewards' decision," said Haug.
"In our opinion Lewis did not achieve this win because of an illegitimate advantage. However, we will keep our heads up. We are now looking forward to the next race in Monza on the coming weekend.
"We need to continue to be fully focused as nothing is decided in the World Championship yet."
Ferrari team chief Stefano Domenicali said his team must use the decision to their advantage as the season enters its closing stages.
"I have often said that the race is not over until the official results are published and that was the case on Sunday," said Domenicali.
"As usual, Ferrari will not comment on the stewards' decision. After the race, we were called to the stewards and we explained our position.
"This result is obviously very important for our championship hopes. Now we must maintain maximum concentration and prepare as well as possible for the forthcoming races, starting at Monza where we will be racing in front of our home fans.
"We will also need their support at such a delicate point in the season."
- AFP