Lauda: FIA right to launch Vettel crash probe
Jun.29 - As predicted, the FIA has re-opened the issue of Sebastian Vettel's apparently deliberate crash into title rival Lewis Hamilton in Baku.
Although the German was penalised during the race and lost further license points, it was speculated FIA president Jean Todt wanted to pursue the matter further.
Amid suggestions a race ban could be applied, it is suggested Todt is unhappy Vettel re-offended despite being sternly warned after Mexico last year about his radio tirade against Charlie Whiting.
The FIA confirmed that on Monday, July 3, it will "further examine the causes of the (Hamilton) incident in order to evaluate whether further action is necessary".
The outcome will then be announced before next weekend's Austrian grand prix, F1's governing body added.
Monday, July 3 is also the Ferrari driver's 30th birthday.
Mercedes team chairman and F1 legend Niki Lauda told Osterreich newspaper Vettel's decision to drive into Hamilton in Baku was "unbelievable".
"What makes it even worse is that Vettel took absolutely no blame -- although that is always so with him," he said.
"I can understand Lewis' anger and I'm really angry as well. Why couldn't he just say 'It was my mistake, I screwed up'?
Lauda also seemed to agree that the FIA is right to re-open the matter, saying the penalty given by the stewards in Azerbaijan was "a joke".
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So typical : "anything to help" Mercedes ,the deep-pocketed emblem of F1 and even more of " anything to help" Hamilton the British darling of F1 a sport that the British have long claimed as their own .
To me, the fact that Vettel did not apologize just shows that he truly believes that Hamilton did break-test him
Take note that anyone who has been so treated knows that aside from addressing the matter yourself there is nothing that can be done . The authorities ( whether its the police or racing stewards never do a thing as the act is so easy to do and impossible to prove .
In Baku,had only to get off the gas ,as he did ,knowing that his car would slow down substantially and when this is done out of a corner ,where acceleration is the norm, the trailing car will certainly hit the lead car.Plan executed ,no paper trail .
Hamilton knew it ,Vettel knew it ,no wonder Vettel was so mad ,anyone would be .
I now fully expect the FIA to penalizes Vettel even further ( as if the F1 steward taking the race win from Vettel and Ferrari was not enough. I know this because of three facts if F1 racing .One ,Mercedes gets whatever they want : that is why we have this God-awful hybrid era . Mercedes worked on hybrid PU's for over a decade and when sure they had it right they went to Bernie and F1 and got the formula installed.No one else had a chance and even now the advantage keeps Mercedes ahead
Two, it's what Hamilton wants to ensure that he will take the WDC over Vettel .
Hamilton is British and F1 has always favored British drivers because F1 is a British invented and dominated sport . Note also that Vettel is German and F1 has always disfavored German drivers for the same nationalistic reasons it favors British drivers. This is sad but, true .
The FIA , which is supposed to operate independently from F1 does not and it will do what F1 and its powers want and as noted ,here F1 and thus the FIA want to help Hamilton and Mercedes ( a German co. in name but its F1 arm is in Brackley ,England and employs over 1,500 residents .So as far as F1 is concerned Mercedes is a British constructor while Ferrari IS located in Italy.
So, Ferrari and Mr.. Vettel have no chance of fair treatment .
I do have a question for F1 and the FIA : what would they do if asked to adjudicate a dispute between drivers in a US race ,you know the ones where a driver's dispute results in a fist fight right after the race ?Where they punch each other do you punish both ? Neither, or look to the nationalities of the drivers and their teams ?
Grow up and start treating men like men rather than giving heed to people ( who are NOT disinterested like Hamilton and Lauda and their un-race -like petitions which amount to ," Mommy ,he touched me ,he touched me ,punished him "!
Were Hemingway still alive he would have to amend his famous statement about games versus sports to something like ," they are all games ,the only sports are bull-fighting ,mountain climbing and auto-racing ,well all auto -racing except F1".
Bravo for this comment. This "narcissistic cry-baby" Hamilton must always be pampered by everyone. And he needs to rub shoulders with celebrities. Listen to his last CNN interview and his quote: " When I get into the car, I need to feel the love....."
OMG. let's give him some. And Niki Lauda should shut up with comments like he did; among them: "Hamilton will hit Vettel with the fist." That is primitive Alpic Mountain behaviour.
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