The Impeding Incident between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
When it comes to two rivals like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, any close encounter on the track between them is potentially explosive. And what happened in the first segment of the Shootout – the Saturday morning Sprint qualifying – lived up to expectations. Lewis Hamilton found himself in front of the Red Bull while he was launching for a fast lap, just as the opponent was completing his. In Turn 10, the Dutchman felt blocked by the Englishman, feeling that he had lost a few fractions of a second that would have allowed him to improve his lap time.
Once Max Verstappen overtook the Mercedes on the straight, he braked in Turn 1, immediately slowing down, effectively ruining Lewis Hamilton’s lap, who was already eliminated in SQ1. The seven-time champion complained to the press: “He obstructed me 100%,” and Toto Wolff also pointed out that Max Verstappen’s impeding was “intentional” and therefore a reactionary foul for what had happened a few moments earlier. However, the FIA did not even consider the incident and categorized it as a normal on-track event.
Mercedes’ decision not to appeal
But why didn’t Mercedes, seemingly dissatisfied, make their voice heard to the Federation? The answer lies in an article published in La Stampa by Stefano Mancini: “Mercedes chose not to file an appeal because a sanction against Max Verstappen would have favored Ferrari. The race stewards ignored the viral images that the public had already seen on social media or from the stands. A maneuver that, precisely because it was intentional, could have led to a more severe decision, which would have been difficult to make in the Austrian GP. The result would not have changed, but perhaps the spectacle and the sense of justice would have benefited.” – Stefano Mancini wrote.
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To defend their second position in the Constructors’ Championship, Toto Wolff – with Mercedes starting from the back – seemingly decided not to lodge any appeal with the FIA to prevent Ferrari (starting fifth with Carlos Sainz and ninth with Charles Leclerc) and possibly even Aston Martin (with Fernando Alonso starting sixth and Lance Stroll seventh) from gaining positions in the Sprint event, considering the possibility of a heavier penalty than the “usual” three positions, given that it could have been deemed an intentional block and a reactionary move.
Finally, Gunther Steiner seemed infuriated by the lack of penalty imposed on Max Verstappen for impeding Kevin Magnussen on Friday – which would have affected the starting grid for Sunday: “If roles were reversed, a penalty would have been given!” – he pointed out.
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