
Mercedes have demanded a review into the Turn 4 overtaking incident between championship leader Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton during the Brazilian GP at Interlagos.
Defending world champion Hamilton has stormed entire the weekend, especially on Sunday race from P10 to victory from Verstappen. The Brit challenged aggressive Dutchman several times before he finally claimed top podium.
An uncertain incident happened at turn 4 on the lap 47, when Hamilton made an attempt to overtake Verstappen. But the Red Bull speedy appeared to force Lewis off the track, and both were continued the race and Hamilton overtook Verstappen for good on Lap 59.
Race stewards investigate the incident at the time but quickly decided no further action was necessary as they considered it a racing incident. Yesterday, F1 released the recording of Max’s forward-facing on-board camera at the time of the close call between he and Hamilton, as that point of view was not accessible to the stewards when they chose no investigation was needed as the two drivers went off the road at Turn 4.
Following the footage release a statement issued by Mercedes said: “The Mercedes AMG-Petronas F1 Team confirm we have today requested a Right of Review under Article 14.1.1 of the International Sporting Code, in relation to the Turn 4 incident between Car 44 and Car 33 on lap 48 of the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, on the basis of new evidence unavailable to the Stewards at the time of their decision.”
“I’ve always been very diplomatic in how I discuss things. But diplomacy has ended today,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.
Last race weekend at Brazil Hamilton faced a crucial penalty, he was disqualified from qualifying and demoted to the back of the grid after stewards upheld a Red Bull complaint his DRS system was illegal.
“We’ve just had many, many punches in the face this weekend with decisions that could have swung either side, against us or for us,” said Wolff.
“When always the decisions swing against you, it’s just something that I’m just angry about.”
It was a safer way of running a bit wide there – Max
“I think it was a good battle,” Verstappen said after the race. “I mean we both of course tried to be ahead into the corner, so I braked a bit late to get that position. I was on the edge of grip. That’s why I think I was already on the apex and it’s a safer way of running a bit wide there. In a way, I was happy stewards decided we could keep on racing.”
Hamilton seemed to shrug it off in his post-race press conference.
“I didn’t think too much of it and obviously I’ll have to watch the replay, but it’s hard battling and wouldn’t expect anything less really,” the British driver said. “We didn’t touch wheels, which is good.”