Vettel says Hamilton left no space to avoid crash
- Published on 02 Sep 2018 17:13
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Sebastian Vettel believes that Lewis Hamilton didn't leave him any room to avoid a clash on lap 1 of the Italian Grand Prix. The pair came together just moments into the race at Turn 3 which caused Vettel to spin out and join the back of the field.
Vettel picked his way through the pack and recovered to cross the line in fifth, but was promoted to fourth following a time penalty for Max Verstappen. Speaking after the race about the incident, Vettel pinned the blame on his title rival.
“I tried to pass Kimi and then he opened the brakes," Vettel said. "I didn't really have a gap and didn't want to try something silly. So I got out of it and Lewis saw a little bit [of space] around the outside, but then I think he didn't leave any space.
"I had no other chance than to run into him and make contact. I tried to get out from there but I couldn't. Unfortunately, I was the one that spun around which is ironic. From there, we drove well, we still got a lot of points so it could have been worse."
Vettel now sits 30 points behind Hamilton in the championship battle after Hamilton went on to take victory at Monza. However, the German is confident that Ferrari can bounce gap and close up on rivals Mercedes in the final seven races of the season.
"Well obviously it doesn't help when you lose points but it's not the end of the world," he said. "The support has been incredible but unfortunately, we didn't deliver, but what can you do when you get spun around. There's not much you can do from there. I'm not too worried. If we have the pace, then the points [gap] sounds bad but it doesn't take long to get them back."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (13)
Login to replyRindtchamp
Posts: 304
Seb, you're giving goldenboy the title on a silver platter. Shape up or ship out!
juju_hound
Posts: 180
Lewis drove very agrresive there since that was the only scenario to beat Ferraris. It was hard for Seb to avoid the crash but it was possible, he made mistake and paid the prize. Great victory for Mercedes.
Savio
Posts: 145
He will never became a second Schumacher... Vettel is a donkey
wongrayw
Posts: 17
Hamilton said he had already been "a bit surprised" that Vettel went to the left at the first chicane, where "there was a small touch between us all" and was surprised by his approach to the Roggia too.
"I was again a bit surprised Seb chose the inside and not going to the outside of Kimi and that was my opportunity," said Hamilton.
"I stuck it down the outside and made sure I was far enough alongside.
"I think there was enough space between us. I am guessing he locked up, we touched, it was a brief moment, damaged the car a little bit but I could continue.
wongrayw
Posts: 17
VETTEL, SHUT UP AND ACCEPT YOUR FAULT BY SPINNING ( YOU ALREADY HIT HAM IN THE SECONER CORNER ).....MOVE ON TO SINGAPORE AND REPEAT AGAIN..........
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
What a load of piss. Kimi got penalized at Silverstone when Hammy left him no room, and now the skeleton warrior can basically push a rival off track... again... ruin the rival's race, and escape with no penalty in sight.... is someone taking the piss?
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@calle come on calle, this one is simple. In Silverstone Raikkonen was off the racing line and locked his way into the racing line. That being said, I thought that was a racing incident too. Today was Vettel going off the racing line to block Lewis who had no more track left. Lewis was lucky not to spin or get more damage, but still... I think you'll find most people agree that it was another clumsy move by Sebastián and another wasted opportunity
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Agree Mercedes drivers are treated with kid gloves. Normal rule book doesn't apply to those drivers.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
At best that was a racing incident, at worst Hammy took a racing line that lead him into Kimi. We are then talking the same penalty Verstappen got today (and earned). Hammy did here what he always does (we even had a replay of him doing the same thing to Kimi years ago). He was more direct and brutal with it with Rosberg, but nevertheless it ruined Vettel's race. Its fine that he was first out of the corner, but to take a racing line that forces the other off the track? That aint cool beans, and could be outright dangerous. I dont really see what else Vettel could have done in that scenario.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
He's not wrong.
MADMICK
Posts: 19
It seems to me as though Seb just cannot take the pressure and when pressed makes mistakes where he should kepp his cool. Like most drivers when asked about an incident he is never in the wrong and that is human nature. (See Max as another hot head without respect).
Unfortunately for Seb we have so many camera angles now that his protests and assertions can be picked over in minute detail, not forgetting all other data available to the stewards. As I have seen on screen it was a very bold move by Lewis who was right up against the track limits and Seb had slight understeer resulting in the nudge. There was room but he just couldn't hold his line or decided to try to push Lewis off track and it all went wrong.
His previous titles were all won with a totally dominant car from the front. Now it is so close it requires a great driver who can deal with the pressure and actually battle for points, so whoever wins this year is a true driving champion. Get over it and move on.
Bring on the next 7 races.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Two cars don't fit into the space of one. Somethings got to give. Racing incident. They are both lucky they didn't have more damage or cause a pileup.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Funny how that's an racing incident and the Bottas move isn't.