F1 remains split over Vettel penalty controversy
Two days after the Canadian GP, Formula 1 remains split over whether the penalty that cost Sebastian Vettel victory was right or wrong.
Nico Rosberg, who had a difficult relationship with his fellow German during his career, has fiercely sided with the stewards and backed Lewis Hamilton's win.
"He (Vettel) always think he is in the right and blames other people," said the former Mercedes driver.
"After the race, all those gestures and disrespectful comments, it was just unnecessary."
But there is much more support for Vettel than opposition.
"I had an identical situation with Lewis in 2016 in Monaco," said Daniel Ricciardo. "In my opinion it was more dangerous than Canada but he got no penalty.
"Either way I think it was normal -- a tough fight."
Even Corriere della Sera, an Italian newspaper that is often critical of Vettel, says both the German and Ferrari were "robbed".
Daniil Kvyat said: "If he had done it five times in a row or something then yes, maybe a penalty. I think the punishment was too harsh."
The Russian driver added: "Every time I go to the stewards, I don't know what to expect.
"They have a difficult job, and it's not easy for them. But we know that the problem is a lack of consistency in the decision making."
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, an always outspoken critic, is similarly supportive of Vettel.
"The penalty is embarrassing for Formula 1," he told motorsport-magazin.com.
"This was a driving mistake, and Lewis could easily have gone off the gas. It wasn't dirty driving. You can't always say 'Oh please, drive past me!'. This isn't Monopoly."
Even Hamilton himself has admitted he would have behaved "exactly as Sebastian did".
Casey Stoner, a former MotoGP champion, called it "the worst decision" in F1 history.
"It's times like these we miss Charlie Whiting," he said.
Germany's Bild newspaper reports that, even three hours after Vettel's post-race shenanigans, the German was still insisting: "I don't regret anything."
Another newspaper, Italy's La Stampa, summed up the situation succinctly, amid talk that Ferrari will surely fail in its appeal against the decision.
"Whether the penalty was right or wrong, it changes nothing. It's 7-0 for Mercedes," it said.
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At the end of the day, it's yet
Another mistake made by Vettel when he's been put under pressure.
...and therefore he ought to be penalised!
What do I have the feeling I have heard this before!?
Whatever we think about the decision, it was made by the race officials, and I was discussed by Vettles behaviour and also by the once respected Sky commentators, this sport is getting just as bad as football with little or no respect for the officials, you should take a look at Rugby and learn to respect the officials. I do not want to watch a sport and then have to listen to constant criticism of what some has-beens thoughts are, let's just enjoy the racing and keep your thoughts to yourself
Referees, judges, officials do make mistakes. Whenever they do that, they MUST be criticized. Vettel (or anyone else in that situation) had little else to do in that situation. WRONG decision by the stewards. LET THEM RACE !!!
I see, you were discussed (sic) by Vettel, you wanted something done about it, and the stewards obliged.
Did you have to pay a lot?
I don't really like Seb after what he did to Mark Webber. but I do believe the officials got it wrong. Seb had no place on track to go. he did what he could to avoid a accident.
It looks to me that Seb was still out of control and that Lewis' action avoided an accident that would have wiped out both cars and possibly drivers. There is a huge controversy only because the cars were running in one and two positions... If the exact incident had happened in the middle field, the driver/car who had gone off the track would have been blamed, and no one would have batted an eyelid.
To me, Lewis demonstrated extraordinary skill and Seb was mostly lucky to finish his race.
This said, I generally admire both drivers equally.
You have it in a Nutshell.
I am of the opinion that Hamilton saw what happened just before actually Vettel went over the grass and saw an opportunity to overtake and he should have anticipated the outcome and could have slowed down before and avoided being forced onto the side, Vettel skilfully avoided hitting barrier and stayed ahead of Hamilton so there was no dangerous driving on part of Vettel and no intention to go into Hamilton, so none of them suffered as the result and the F1 stewards should have looked at this incident from that angle and as the result their decision would have been a different one and more just. There is a definitive prejudice against Seb and it all works well in Hamilton's favour and I just conclude that this punishment of Vettel does not show much for the F1 officials and their judgement and in the end we will end up with very few enjoying the super sport and fans will go elsewhere with far less rules and restrictions which which have been strangling the drivers and causing a major shift in sports attractiveness and competitiveness .
This is why i dedecided to dis like lewis from day 1 as i think he thinks he is god and untouchable, if This happened the other way i wonder what the decision would have been as in 2016 with Ricardo Lewis didnt get punished, he had no chance of catching vettel so i think it was good skill from vettel as it could of been alot worse
Maybe what you are missing, is the fact that Vettel intentionally impeded car 44. What he did, is release his hands from the steering wheel. Anybody who has raced a car, will know that when you are fighting for control of your car, the last thing you would do, is release your hands from the wheel. You only do this, once you have regained control of your car, as this causes your car to veer to the outside of the corner, as this is the fastest way around the corner. This is what Vettel did, and the Steward picked up on this, and they explained this is why he got the penalty. If he had kept his hands on the wheel, he would have left room for Hamilton, and not impeded him, and not gotten a penalty. Vettel went of the track, so lost his right to defend the racing line.