Wolff finds Hamilton penalty 'far-fetched'

Given the post-race reactions in Sochi, we can almost say that Valtteri Bottas' victory in Russia was relegated to the background compared to the controversy surrounding the double sanction inflicted on his teammate Lewis Hamilton, relegated to 3rd place under the checkerboard. 

The pole sitter received two penalties of 5 seconds each for having carried out a pair of simulated starts outside the zone provided for this purpose before taking his place on the grid. 

No article of the sporting regulations governing this maneuver, it is the instructions sent by the race director Michael Masi before each race which are authentic, in this case article 19. 

The latter states that “ start simulations must be carried out on the right side of the track, after the pit lane exit lights ". Pilots must also “ leave enough room on their left » to let other cars pass. 

In his traditional post-Grand Prix debriefing, Toto wolff explained why Mercedes does not share the point of view of the commissioners. 

« Ron (Meadows, Mercedes sporting director, Editor’s note) and I were with the stewards and their verdict was that Lewis was not in the right place, declared the main Mercedes team. However, there is no mention anywhere of the place where the drivers must carry out their simulated start, either in the regulations or the information note from the race director. 

I do not agree with the sanction because it is far-fetched, but I still respect the decision of the commissioners ».

Mercedes still won its case partially since the stewards, who had also given two penalty points on Hamilton's license, reversed this sanction to replace it with a fine of 25 euros imposed on the team, judged guilty of having given the green light to the Briton after he had asked to carry out his start simulations a little further away than leaving the pits.