Lewis Hamilton criticises poor communications in Qatar, but says he’s moved on
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Lewis Hamilton was fined for crossing a “live” track, following a collision with Mercedes teammate George Russell.
PHOTO: REUTERS
AUSTIN – Lewis Hamilton on Thursday criticised the FIA for poor communication after his track-crossing incident in Qatar, adding that he had learnt his lesson and was “moving forward”.
The seven-time world champion said he did not feel he was singled out for his breach of the rules when he crossed a live track following his collision with Mercedes teammate George Russell.
He was fined €50,000 (S$72,600) – €25,000 of that suspended – and reprimanded after he apologised to stewards who, from this week in Texas, have the power to give out fines of up to €1 million for breaches of the sporting code.
Following the incident, the FIA said it wished to review it again
Asked about this at the Circuit of the Americas on Thursday, Hamilton blamed the FIA for poor communication.
“I don’t think I was singled out. It was poor communication,” he said. “I don’t think what they said is what they meant. What they mean is that they’re looking into how they can tackle it, moving forward, so it doesn’t happen.
“There was a karting accident recently where a kid was hit. They need to speak to their PR agent to do a better job!”
He added that he was fully aware of a need to send the correct messages about on-track conduct.
“They have spoken to me and their point is important,” he said. “What’s important is to send the right message, particularly to young drivers, that it’s not the thing to do.
“They’re looking to make sure it doesn’t happen moving forward.”
Regarding his clash with Russell, he added: “The great thing about our sport is there’s always another day to get back on the horse.
“There’s nothing I can do about the past, but there are things I can learn – which I have.”
Meanwhile, Lance Stroll’s future with Aston Martin was the source of speculation again on Thursday after organisers at the United States GP included Brazilian reserve driver Felipe Drugovich in a promotional poster.
Stroll, son of team owner and Canadian billionaire Lawrence, has been a regular part of the Silverstone-based team for three seasons, but his form has dipped while teammate two-time champion Fernando Alonso has shone.
His absence from the poster alongside Alonso was widely reported to have been an accident that was rectified by the organisers, after much discussion of his future on social media.
Stroll, whose best finish in F1 was third, had failed to progress from Q1 in qualifying for the fifth consecutive grand prix in Qatar.
He threw his steering wheel out of his car in the garage area and then shoved his personal trainer out of his way, before responding with monosyllabic answers and an expletive during broadcast media interviews.
Alonso is fourth in the drivers’ world championship while Stroll is 10th, adrift by 136 points.
With five rounds of the season remaining, Aston Martin and McLaren are battling for fourth place in their title race and with it a significant sum of prize money in the constructors standings.
AFP, REUTERS
