Hamilton and Vettel avoid punishment

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) fought hard at the start of the race and almost got penalized for this maneuver. When the first drops appeared on the Shanghai circuit, many drivers, including Vettel and Hamilton, returned to the pits to switch to intermediate tires. Starting off with their new tyres, the two men found themselves wheel to wheel and drove side by side until exiting the pits, with the Red Bull driver finally taking the upper hand (see video).

« Stewards have received a report from the race director regarding a pit lane incident involving the No. 2 car of Lewis Hamilton and the No. 5 car of Sebastian Vettel, explains the FIA ​​in two press releases, one for each driver. After hearing the explanations from the two drivers and the two team managers and after watching the images, the stewards concluded that Sebastian Vettel / Lewis Hamilton drove in a dangerous manner and addressed him with a reprimand. » They therefore avoid a sporting sanction and keep their classification of the Chinese Grand Prix.

For his part, Lewis Hamilton denies having engaged in unsporting behavior. “ He pushed me to the right », affirms the Briton, who is right since Baby Schumi, when he found himself alongside his rival, deviated his trajectory towards the pits. “ We touched each other on the wheels but I think it was okay », concludes Hamilton.

Sebastian Vettel is less calm about this incident. Annoyed by Lewis Hamilton's tenacity, the Red Bull driver blames the 2008 World Champion. At the time of the stop, I was in the lead, comments the German. I don't know why he pushed me to the left and insisted on touching me. I was hoping not to suffer a puncture. I really don't know why he did that because I was in front of him and I had the advantage. »