Comments on: Controversy as Lewis Hamilton hits Kimi Raikkonen in pit lane

By: Jraybay-HamiltonMclarenfan

Jraybay-HamiltonMclarenfan — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:04:10 +0000

going down pitlane you’re supposed to be single file. I think hamilton turned to avoid kubica but Kimi was parked inside there.

By: MigueLP

MigueLP — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:42:55 +0000

very dirty hamilton

By: Marked One

Marked One — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:05:59 +0000

If he pass the line until red light,he has been disqualified!understand?

By: Chris Harrison

Chris Harrison — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:02:28 +0000

Radioed from the team or not, it’s in the rules that there will be a red light shown whilst the safety car is passing.

Hamilton should have known that, and should have been prepared for it. As he wasn’t, he was given a completely fair penatly.

By: Haplo

Haplo — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:14:52 +0000

Yeahk, that and “his team should have informed him about the red light” or something like that.

I can’t believe a F1 driver can’t see a red light and or know the rule book, at least the bit about racing.

By: Terry Fabulous

Terry Fabulous — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:25:13 +0000

Ten years later, addding my two bits…

Did anyone else notice James Allen’s comments immediately after the incident?

“Oh the pit lane is closed and Hamilton has hit the back of Kimi Raikonnen. Presumably the red light was on, it’s green now. I would love to know if it was red when Ferrari stopped. But Lewis Hamilton has smashed into the back of Kimi Raikonnen in the pitlane.”

So in the heat of the moment, one and half seconds after the incident. James Allen’s first thoughts were that Kimi had break tested Lewis, presumably willing to have his car smashed up for the ability to destroy Hamilton’s.

Biased?

By: DG

DG — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:28:14 +0000

@ William and Haplo
Sure, being consistently last isn’t much good to anyone – apart from getting track experience, and I agree a ‘Champion’ is someone who wins every race. But thats the point – there is no driver this season who has won every race, but Kubica has nearly always been on the podium, as Hammy was last year. If there was a definitely better driver who was consistently winning this year we wouldn’t be having this argument.

By: Ponzonha

Ponzonha — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:56:50 +0000

Withmarsh said that they did warn Hamilton. Thus, discussion is over. It was Lewis mistake. Nevertheless, I agree that bigger lights would be helpful.

By: Oddball

Oddball — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:56:54 +0000

@ Hondo: I believe you are talking out of the wrong orifice IMHO. There are no provision for any flashing red light meaning “proceed with caution” in any racing rule book I’ve ever read. The closest parallel to a difference in a steady light to a flashing light would be stationary yellow and waved yellow flags – and in general a waved yellow is considered the stronger warning. A stationary yellow flag is considered to mean (yup, you got it) “proceed with caution”, whereas a waved yellow flag is usually interpreted to add the words “be prepared to stop”…

In fact, even if there had been no red light at the end of the pitlane, the cars are not allowed to rejoin the track unless the GREEN light is lit.

From the current sporting regs:
39.2 During the race, drivers leaving the pit lane may only do so when the light at the end of the pit lane is
green and on their own responsibility. A marshal with a blue flag and/or a flashing blue light, will also warn
the driver if cars are approaching on the track.

40.7 Any car being driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or which is deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers at any time whilst the safety car is deployed will be reported to the stewards. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane.

40.11 Subject to the requirements of 40.6 above, whilst the safety car is in operation, competing cars may enter
the pit lane, but may only rejoin the track when the green light at the end of the pit lane is on. It will be on at all times except when the safety car and the line of cars following it are about to pass or are passing the pit exit. A car rejoining the track must proceed at an appropriate speed until it reaches the end of the line of cars behind the safety car.

By: Oddball

Oddball — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:56:31 +0000

Martin Whitmarsh (McLaren CEO) in his post race Q&A session states that Hamilton was ALSO warned about the red light over the radio!!

Q: Did you give Lewis a warning about the red light over the radio?

Whitmarsh: “Yes.”

(http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68161)