And I ask you again, was Hamilton under oath?

Racing starts and ends on track as far as I’m concerned.

Seems this subject has attracted a lot of folks whose hatred for Lewis blinds them to reality.

You just have to ask yourself why, don’t you? Not even MS at his worst attracted this sort of vilification.

On another note, I see the FIA has gone very silent on their Race Against Racism campaign…..

Then you’d do well to remember that famous “British Justice” you are so proud of, as enshrined in the Magna Carta.

There just so happens to be a little fundamental inclusion in the British Justice System that you are innocent until proven guilty. So where is the proof?
And remember, some bland press release from the FIA is not proof. Please provide your evidence that Lewis is ‘guilty’. I’m sure I’m not the only person who would like to see it. And was this a tribunal where Lewis was under oath? Did he swear to tell the truth? And why are the FIA suddenly such moral watchdogs, given S&Max is their president? Hardly a ringing endorsement.

I’d also like to remind you that court transcripts are generally available to the public in the real world. So why is the FIA not releasing the transcripts of the meeting?

Two sides to the Hamilton-Trulli controversy: Another avoidable crisis

And please stop it with the stewards – our comments are going to have a minuscule effect on how F1 is being run.

I dont think with the kind of complicated rules, anyone will be able to take a call on whats right and wrong while the race is going on – so we are stuck with post-race controversies.

I dont think he should be banned from F1 at all – thats a little extreme – at most a couple of races ban – but even then I’m not sure he deserves owt else. It wasnt a pre-meditated cheat – it was heat of the moment. And he has admitted his part in it now – pretty brave, if not required move given the backlash he will get from it.

this issue is very serious in My opinion, and if Lewis is found to have corroborated with Ryan in making up a story, both should be kicked out of McLaren and Banned from F1. a footballer faking an injury is an old part of the Sport, Lying and getting drivers bumped down to the end of the classification should not belong in F1.

i am anxiously waiting to see if the hearings were recorded or transcribed, because if it is true OMG.

i think F1 post race hearing should be broadcast because it isn’t until they are concluded that the race is truly over.

People cant tell me they havent told a quick lie in the heat of the moment to pin blame elswehere when they have done something they think is wrong, especially if encouraged into it by someone else – even if everyone has a mind of thier own. Its a mistake i dont think they will be making again in a hurry!

How do you get to be a steward, what qualifications and experience do you need, and who chooses the stewards for each race?

Is it still completely different stewards at each race or did they bring back a permanent steward?

Are there any limits on how many times you can be a steward or where at? For example can you only be a steward once a season or not for two races in succession.

How many stewards are there in total and are they all equal?

It appears they have access to all TV footage and team radio but do they have all information such as car telemetry or do they need to request this from the teams for a specific case.

Can stewards investigate anything they want or does there have to be an appeal by a team in some circumstances?

When interviewing people is it done one at a time to get people’s own interpretation or all together or even one then the other?

Do the stewards have to be in complete agreement on a decision and any punishment, or is it a majority vote, if one steward disagrees does this ever get officially published.

What recording of the steward’s meetings takes place, is it video, voice only or just the minutes?

Specifically relating to this case, why did they not know they had access to the radio from the cars?

I can appreciate they may not of heard what Hamilton had said to the press after the race as they would be busy, which was the other piece of ‘new evidence’ which came to light. But even if McLaren and Hamilton lied, given the rest of the information available I can’t see why they punished Trulli the way they did. Some have said they were following the letter of the law and had no option but if that was the case how come Trulli has got his 3rd back now.

Lewis Hamilton went in front of the international F1 media in Malaysia and said that he had been misled when he went to see the Stewards in Melbourne and he did what he was told to do by sporting director Davey Ryan.

“I’d like to say sorry to all my fans who have believed in me and supported me for years. I am not a liar. I am not a dishonest person. I am a team player. Every time I have had to do something I have done it. This time it was a huge mistake. I am learning from it. It has had a huge toll for me. It was a lot to deal with. I was in the wrong and I feel I owe it to my fans to let them know that. Like I said I was misled.

“We went straight there and while we were waiting I was instructed what to do. I did not have time to think about what I was going to do. I felt awkward and very uncomfortable and I think the stewards could see that. I am not a liar.”

Hamilton said that no-one else in the team was involved.

“Dave is a great guy and has worked for the team for many years and he is feeling it just as much as the whole team.

“The situation is the worst thing I have experineced in my life. That is why I am here. It is right for me as a human being and a man to tell you exactly what was going on. I am sorry for the embarrassment I have caused to may family and to the team.”

That looks like an admission to me….

Still feel a little sorry for him though – it was a spur of the moment thing, it wasnt really premeditated. Just a moment of madness. Deserves the dsq for it for sure, but dont really reckon he deserves owt more though. It seems he kinda played sheep and went along with it. The team on the other hand…..