LEWIS HAMILTON will have left the Spa circuit last night believing an injustice had been served in the wake of a controversial Belgian Grand Prix.
For the fifth time in 13 races Hamilton suffered at the hands of the race stewards as the ninth win of his career was taken away two hours after he had crossed the finishing line. A three-man panel deemed Hamilton had gained an advantage in cutting a
chicane.
That had occurred at the end of lap 42 of the 44-lap race, taking the lead as he battled with Kimi Raikkonen in the closing stages.
Hamilton correctly handed first place back to the reigning world champion, as the rules dictate, before legitimately passing him again on the run down to the first corner La Source hairpin.
In wet conditions, the lead then changed hands twice more on the penultimate lap prior to Raikkonen spinning into a wall, handing Hamilton the win. Or so the 23-year-old thought, only to be demoted to third, with Felipe Massa the victor, so cutting Hamilton's lead at the top of the championship standings to two points. Hamilton was not allowed to comment after the stewards' verdict, but an answer to a question beforehand said it all.
Asked as to whether he would be surprised if the stewards punished him, Hamilton replied: "Absolutely, absolutely. This is motor racing and if there's a penalty, then there's something wrong because I was ahead going into that corner, so I didn't gain an advantage from it."
Somewhat pertinently, he added: "But you know what they (stewards] are like."
McLaren have registered their intention to appeal yesterday's decision, however, FIA rules dictate they are unable to protest a drive-through penalty. It will be one for the Court of Appeal to decide whether they have grounds on which to pursue their complaint.
The full article contains 319 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
