This past weekend, the Italian Grand Prix once again delivered on it’s promise to be one of the most unpredictable races on the F1 calendar. In a weekend that saw flashes of brilliance throughout the grid, another Mercedes and Red Bull collision was the story that grabbed headlines and sparked controversy throughout the paddock.
Although both drivers were unharmed in the accident, Max Verstappen walked away from a pointless weekend in Monza with a 3-place grid penalty, after he was deemed the main culprit in his latest clash with the seven time world champion. On the other hand, Hamilton was given nothing more than a bump on the head and a significant advantage heading into the next round. Not only do I believe that the FIA’s findings are wrong, but also feel that their applied penalty is more in the name of ‘tit for tat’ than anything else.
Let’s break it down.
Stage 1 - Under Breaking
With Hamilton exiting the pits and Verstappen starting to enter the breaking zone, both drivers are starting to slow down for turn 1. At this time they will both be fully aware of who is around them and Hamilton will start to take a more defensive stance in order to keep his position.
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| Verstappen vs Hamilton Under Breaking (Pictures from F1 TV) |
Stage 2 - Verstappen Attacks, Hamilton Defends
Verstappen descends from over 200mph and breaks late, forcing an aggressive outside line. In retaliation, Hamilton moves over onto a more defensive racing line and takes up the centre of the track, forcing his rival even wider.
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| Verstappen Attacks, Hamilton Defends (Pictures from F1 TV) |
Stage 3 - Hamilton Misses Apex, Compromises Corner
Critically, Hamilton misses the apex and puts his car squarely in Verstappen’s path. This is Hamilton’s first error and as Verstappen is now alongside him, he now knows this mistake may cost him the position. Vertsappen is now in the centre of the corner, forcing his way up the inside in an attempt to push Hamilton wide in the second half of the chicane.
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| Hamilton Error Compromises Corner (Pictures from F1 TV) |
Stage 4 - Hamilton Goes Straight On
As per racing etiquette, Hamilton should give Verstappen space heading into the second half of the chicane, in response to his own mistake at the corners entrance. Instead, he points his car straight into the apex, in clear view of Verstappen’s Red Bull. This forces Verstappen further out of the corner and off the track.
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| Hamilton Goes Straight On (Pictures From F1 TV) |
Stage 5 - First Contact
Verstappen desperately tries to make the corner but is forced to jump over the curbing, kicking the rear of the car up. Vertsappen has no control of his car at this point. Meanwhile, Hamilton acts as though he is oblivious to his rivals efforts and runs into the front wing of the Red Bull, effectively causing the incident.
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First Contact between Verstappen and Hamilton (Pictures From F1 TV)
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The Verdict
Being an aggressive driver by nature, Verstappen is still partly to blame for the part he played in his latest incident with his championship rival. However, Hamilton’s initial mistake when missing the first apex compromised both the drivers racing lines and therefore should have given Verstappen adequate space heading into turn two. This would of resulted in both drivers remaining on the track, with the Mercedes on a superior line moving forward.
Based on these images, the FIA’s decision to place the majority of the blame on Verstappen’s shoulders was in retaliation to the punishment they awarded Hamilton after their last crash at Silverstone in July. For a much bigger incident, Hamilton received a 10-second time penalty which did little in slowing down as he went on to claim his third consecutive British Grand Prix victory.
After being a step behind the competition the entire weekend, Hamilton’s chances of victory in Monza were minimising by the lap. So in order to protect his championship position, he made sure that his one and only competitor would also walk away from this weekend with nothing to show for it. This is either the mark of an ultimate competitor or an unrivalled level of petulancy.
Verstappen Onboard (Video From F1 TV)
Hamilton Onboard (Video From F1 TV)
Excellent article Bridgy !!
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