Hamilton has shown his growing discontent with Formula One after coming under the scrutiny of the FIA once again. The McLaren driver was implicated in a further investigation of the accident which saw both Vettel and Webber crash out of the Japanese Grand Prix from the Fuji Speedway last Sunday.
Race Stewards were asked to further look into the incident, after Franz Tost, boss of Toro Rosso, saw an alternative view of the crash posted on the video sharing site YouTube (now removed at the request of FOM). In the video Lewis was seen to take an alternative line through the corner and brake unusually, but many commentators, including the likes of Stirling Moss, have rushed to defend him, citing the techniques required of drivers to maintain tyre temperature, and therefore pressure, especially important in such atrocious conditions.
After a season dogged with controversy, Hamilton has found himself once again the subject of scrutiny. Aside from a firm denial of any wrongdoing, the young driver now appears utterly frustrated with the sport.
“I think, under extremely difficult circumstances with the rain, I did the best job I could to stay out of everyone else’s way,” he explained. “It’s the first situation where I had been in the wet behind the safety car, having to manage the gap between the guy in front and look out for everyone around you you have got your visor completely fogged up, your mirrors completely fogged up; You are just scared of crashing with someone else and trying to get out of the way. I just don’t understand how they’re trying to put blame on me, but that’s the way it goes, I guess.”
Hamilton, although worried that a punishment could be handed down, is already starting to question whether he even wants to be in F1 next year.
“I had a good weekend,” he continued. “I don’t think I put a foot wrong and I didn’t do anything to harm anyone else or put anyone else in danger but I’ve come away to China and all of a sudden I’m no doubt going to be punished for something – I just think this is a real shame for the sport.”
“Formula 1 is supposed to be about hard competition, but fair, and that’s what I’ve tried to do this year just be fair. If I have been in the wrong I’m the first to put my hands up and just apologise, and then I don’t mind being slapped on the hand or given a penalty. But there has been some real strange situations this year where I’m made to look the bad person. It looks like this weekend I’m probably going to given a penalty and I think it’s just a shame for the sport. If this is the way it’s going to keep going then it’s probably not somewhere that I want to be.”
Hamilton is believed to be meeting race stewards later today, however there is no official word as yet to their decision over the matter.
