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[Denthúl]

Something interesting that has just been posted on James Allen's blog:

A story has just appeared on the Auto Motor und Sport website in Germany, which could have explosive consequences for Lewis Hamilton and McLaren this weekend.

It is written by Michael Schmidt, who is one of the most respected journalists in F1.

The gist of the article is that Lewis Hamilton may have some explaining to do to the stewards, for what he said to them in Melbourne, which led to him deposing Jarno Trulli for third place.

The story is headlined “Did Hamilton tell the truth?”.

“Possibly the exclusion of Jarno Trulli in the season opener in Melbourne must be reopened. Doubts have emerged whether the beneficiary Lewis Hamilton told the truth to the hearing.

“Trulli drove past Hamilton between the turns 4 and 5. The Toyota driver said that Hamilton so strongly deviated from the racing line that he thought Hamilton had a problem. Under these circumstances passing him would be permitted. Hamilton denied the allegation of intentionally slow driving. He changed line, because he was busy reading off the Safety Car instructions on the dashboard display.”

But after examining this, the stewards have apparently discovered that at that point in time and on the circuit, the dash display would have been cleared and there was nothing more on the display, which could have diverted Hamilton.

The story continues: “The central issue however to be gleaned is whether the team instructed Hamilton to drive intentionally slowly. Hamilton answered in the negative. However after the race the following story circulated: Hamilton is said to have told a reporter that the team told him over radio to let Trulli through again,”

The story then develops: “This contradiction brought the FIA officials to listen once again to the recordings of the radio traffic. Although there is no statement from official sources, speculation increases that the stewards from Melbourne will be reconvened in Malaysia.

“There are two scenarios. If Hamilton, from ignorance of the rules, let Trulli by, then Trulli would be given back his points and could be restored to third place. Hamilton would then be fourth. But if it should turn out that he did not tell the truth to the stewards, then there could be serious consequences, possibly exclusion from the results. Also in this case Trulli would be again third.”

It sounds like Lewis will either end up losing a point, or all of his points. If the stewards find that he misled them, he may face carrying a suspended ban over his head for a while, or worse….

OUCH! And you're sure that's no April fool joke?

Well, I thought about it for a moment, but then I remembered that every German I've met has been devoid of a sense of humour >.<

[Robert182]

hummmm.........think people are looking a bit to much into it lol but ah well all is far in f1 and war lol

[McLaren Fan]

I'm only after watching the footage on the other thread. Trulli was clearly off the circuit, so Hamilton was not obliged to let Trulli re-pass or stop or slow right down, lest he cause a pile-up. If McLaren asked Hamilton to allow Trulli by, it was because of the FIA's ineffective sporting regulations. The common sense thing to do would be to let Hamilton remain third, but to move Trulli up to fourth.

[Denthúl]

I'm only after watching the footage on the other thread. Trulli was clearly off the circuit, so Hamilton was not obliged to let Trulli re-pass or stop or slow right down, lest he cause a pile-up. If McLaren asked Hamilton to allow Trulli by, it was because of the FIA's ineffective sporting regulations. The common sense thing to do would be to let Hamilton remain third, but to move Trulli up to fourth.

How does that end up being the common sense thing to do? If it turns out that McLaren asked Lewis to slow down, causing Trulli to think that Lewis' car had a problem, then the result should be reverted to how it was at the chequered flag. Remember, Trulli would not have been able to hear McLaren telling Lewis to slow and yield the position.

[McLaren Fan]

I'm only after watching the footage on the other thread. Trulli was clearly off the circuit, so Hamilton was not obliged to let Trulli re-pass or stop or slow right down, lest he cause a pile-up. If McLaren asked Hamilton to allow Trulli by, it was because of the FIA's ineffective sporting regulations. The common sense thing to do would be to let Hamilton remain third, but to move Trulli up to fourth.

How does that end up being the common sense thing to do? If it turns out that McLaren asked Lewis to slow down, causing Trulli to think that Lewis' car had a problem, then the result should be reverted to how it was at the chequered flag. Remember, Trulli would not have been able to hear McLaren telling Lewis to slow and yield the position.

The regulations are not entirely clear on what Hamilton was supposed to do with Trulli going off track. So, rather than risking another Spa Francorchamps 2008, McLaren seem to have asked Hamilton to allow Trulli to re-pass. In other words, Trulli was gifted back third place for no other reason than the FIA being unable to write the regulations properly. By the (flawed) book, Trulli should be reinstated third and Hamilton fourth, but that's not the sporting thing to do.

[Denthúl]

I'm only after watching the footage on the other thread. Trulli was clearly off the circuit, so Hamilton was not obliged to let Trulli re-pass or stop or slow right down, lest he cause a pile-up. If McLaren asked Hamilton to allow Trulli by, it was because of the FIA's ineffective sporting regulations. The common sense thing to do would be to let Hamilton remain third, but to move Trulli up to fourth.

How does that end up being the common sense thing to do? If it turns out that McLaren asked Lewis to slow down, causing Trulli to think that Lewis' car had a problem, then the result should be reverted to how it was at the chequered flag. Remember, Trulli would not have been able to hear McLaren telling Lewis to slow and yield the position.

The regulations are not entirely clear on what Hamilton was supposed to do with Trulli going off track. So, rather than risking another Spa Francorchamps 2008, McLaren seem to have asked Hamilton to allow Trulli to re-pass. In other words, Trulli was gifted back third place for no other reason than the FIA being unable to write the regulations properly. By the (flawed) book, Trulli should be reinstated third and Hamilton fourth, but that's not the sporting thing to do.

Flawed or not, the decision must be made based on the rules, which would mean that Trulli should be third. I'm all for writing a new rulebook, but not applying the rules that should be in it it to current situations.

[Denthúl]

^ I posted it on the previous page...

[Frosty]

^ I posted it on the previous page...

Ooops how did i miss that!!! sorry

[Gaz]

I'm only after watching the footage on the other thread. Trulli was clearly off the circuit, so Hamilton was not obliged to let Trulli re-pass or stop or slow right down, lest he cause a pile-up. If McLaren asked Hamilton to allow Trulli by, it was because of the FIA's ineffective sporting regulations. The common sense thing to do would be to let Hamilton remain third, but to move Trulli up to fourth.

How does that end up being the common sense thing to do? If it turns out that McLaren asked Lewis to slow down, causing Trulli to think that Lewis' car had a problem, then the result should be reverted to how it was at the chequered flag. Remember, Trulli would not have been able to hear McLaren telling Lewis to slow and yield the position.

The regulations are not entirely clear on what Hamilton was supposed to do with Trulli going off track. So, rather than risking another Spa Francorchamps 2008, McLaren seem to have asked Hamilton to allow Trulli to re-pass. In other words, Trulli was gifted back third place for no other reason than the FIA being unable to write the regulations properly. By the (flawed) book, Trulli should be reinstated third and Hamilton fourth, but that's not the sporting thing to do.

Flawed or not, the decision must be made based on the rules, which would mean that Trulli should be third. I'm all for writing a new rulebook, but not applying the rules that should be in it it to current situations.

I agree with MclarenFan LH 3rd Trulli 4th.

Tell you what i hate tho.

the fact this is going on and on and on and on.........

[Denthúl]

I'm only after watching the footage on the other thread. Trulli was clearly off the circuit, so Hamilton was not obliged to let Trulli re-pass or stop or slow right down, lest he cause a pile-up. If McLaren asked Hamilton to allow Trulli by, it was because of the FIA's ineffective sporting regulations. The common sense thing to do would be to let Hamilton remain third, but to move Trulli up to fourth.

How does that end up being the common sense thing to do? If it turns out that McLaren asked Lewis to slow down, causing Trulli to think that Lewis' car had a problem, then the result should be reverted to how it was at the chequered flag. Remember, Trulli would not have been able to hear McLaren telling Lewis to slow and yield the position.

The regulations are not entirely clear on what Hamilton was supposed to do with Trulli going off track. So, rather than risking another Spa Francorchamps 2008, McLaren seem to have asked Hamilton to allow Trulli to re-pass. In other words, Trulli was gifted back third place for no other reason than the FIA being unable to write the regulations properly. By the (flawed) book, Trulli should be reinstated third and Hamilton fourth, but that's not the sporting thing to do.

Flawed or not, the decision must be made based on the rules, which would mean that Trulli should be third. I'm all for writing a new rulebook, but not applying the rules that should be in it it to current situations.

I agree with MclarenFan LH 3rd Trulli 4th.

Tell you what i hate tho.

the fact this is going on and on and on and on.........

Please, do explain why you think that those should be the positions?

[Frosty]

I'm only after watching the footage on the other thread. Trulli was clearly off the circuit, so Hamilton was not obliged to let Trulli re-pass or stop or slow right down, lest he cause a pile-up. If McLaren asked Hamilton to allow Trulli by, it was because of the FIA's ineffective sporting regulations. The common sense thing to do would be to let Hamilton remain third, but to move Trulli up to fourth.

How does that end up being the common sense thing to do? If it turns out that McLaren asked Lewis to slow down, causing Trulli to think that Lewis' car had a problem, then the result should be reverted to how it was at the chequered flag. Remember, Trulli would not have been able to hear McLaren telling Lewis to slow and yield the position.

The regulations are not entirely clear on what Hamilton was supposed to do with Trulli going off track. So, rather than risking another Spa Francorchamps 2008, McLaren seem to have asked Hamilton to allow Trulli to re-pass. In other words, Trulli was gifted back third place for no other reason than the FIA being unable to write the regulations properly. By the (flawed) book, Trulli should be reinstated third and Hamilton fourth, but that's not the sporting thing to do.

Flawed or not, the decision must be made based on the rules, which would mean that Trulli should be third. I'm all for writing a new rulebook, but not applying the rules that should be in it it to current situations.

I agree with MclarenFan LH 3rd Trulli 4th.

Tell you what i hate tho.

the fact this is going on and on and on and on.........

I would like it to be LH 3rd and Trulli 4th but it can't be because the rules are really strict for what penalties they can give for what Trulli did they have to give a drive through but if it's after the race they have to give a 25 second penalty.

[Jensonb]

I agree with MclarenFan LH 3rd Trulli 4th.

Tell you what i hate tho.

the fact this is going on and on and on and on.........

No offense to you guys or anything, but you would think that.

At the moment, I say Trulli 3rd, Hamilton 4th. I really just hope the FiA don't decide to DQ Hamilton, that would be a fiasco.

[Denthúl]

I agree with MclarenFan LH 3rd Trulli 4th.

Tell you what i hate tho.

the fact this is going on and on and on and on.........

No offense to you guys or anything, but you would think that.

At the moment, I say Trulli 3rd, Hamilton 4th. I really just hope the FiA don't decide to DQ Hamilton, that would be a fiasco.

I agree - it is not justified and would be bad for the reputation of the sport.

[Jensonb]

I agree with MclarenFan LH 3rd Trulli 4th.

Tell you what i hate tho.

the fact this is going on and on and on and on.........

No offense to you guys or anything, but you would think that.

At the moment, I say Trulli 3rd, Hamilton 4th. I really just hope the FiA don't decide to DQ Hamilton, that would be a fiasco.

I agree - it is not justified and would be bad for the reputation of the sport.

Indeed, not only does that punishment not fit the alleged crime, the last thing we need right now is more penalties, and given his popularity in the media, especially against Lewis

[McLaren Fan]

No offense to you guys or anything, but you would think that.

It's got nothing to do with bias. I just think keeping Hamilton third and reinstating Trulli as fourth seems the most fair. If the rumour is true that Hamilton did lie through his teeth to the stewards, then I would expect and hope he be punished.