Hamilton was clearly frustrated after today's qualifying
Both Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton lost out at the end of Q3 in today’s Japanese Grand Prix qualifying, missing out on the final run in the dying minutes.
As a pack of four cars approached the final chicane – led by Jenson Button – teammate Lewis Hamilton backed off to create a raceable gap between the two McLarens. However, Mark Webber dived down the inside of Hamilton in order to retain a clean section of track in front of him. Meanwhile, Schumacher was on the outside, and took to the run-off area to avoid the duo.
Hamilton was on top of the timesheets at the time, but failed to set another time after crossing the line after the chequered flag. Schumacher suffered the same fate, while Webber made little impact on the frontrunners.
When asked about the incident, Lewis was initially coy on explaining, but later gave his view:
"It is what it is. Jenson was in front of me and he slowed down to get his gap. I
was coming up to the last corner to make sure I had a gap between me and him. It
wasn't that big.
Just as I was coming into the chicane I looked in my mirror and I saw Mark diving
up the inside of me. Out of nowhere, he just shot up the inside and nearly
crashed with me, so I had to avoid him.
And then I saw...I didn't even see Michael as I gave Mark room, but he nearly
crashed on me on the left, so it was quite dangerous.
I don't know what the hell he was doing, but he went off onto the grass. It was
just the most ridiculous thing I've ever experienced in qualifying.
I really hope somebody finds the footage for what happened because it wasn't right
and it stopped my last qualifying lap."
On the other hand, Schumacher claimed that Hamilton had pushed him onto the grass:
"I had Webber in front because Hamilton slowed down. I don't know what was in front
of him, if he really had to slow down that much, but it was tight for all three of
us so we all had to push somehow to make it through and do another lap.
At that moment I was set to do a lap because I didn't know whether Kobayashi, or
somebody, may go out [to set a time]. I tried my best and Lewis pushed me a little
bit wide onto the grass."
As of yet there is no television footage of the incident.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Recent Comments