Hamilton gets stewards’ reprimand ... and a win
HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY — Lewis Hamilton regained the Formula One championship lead in unexpected and dramatic fashion Sunday.
He won the German Grand
Prix after race leader Sebastian Vettel crashed and then survived an investigation into his own driving.
Hamilton was summoned to speak to stewards to explain a move late in the race, where he went to the pits and then aborted his move.
He escaped with a reprimand and so kept his win, his fourth this season and 66th overall.
“It’s been the most emotional day, up and down. No one ever wants to go see the stewards because they have the hardest job,” a relieved Hamilton said.
“I was just 100 per cent open with them. They could see how confusing it was.”
The incident came while the safety car was deployed following Vettel’s sudden crash.
Hamilton decided against pitting at the last second and crossed the grass to rejoin the track — which is prohibited.
“I just slowed down and trundled over some grass, and tried to join the track as safely as I could,” said Hamilton, who finished ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Governing body FIA said it cleared Hamilton — who faced a five-second time penalty, which would have handed Bottas the victory — because “driver and the team candidly admitted the mistake” and “at no time was there any danger to any other competitor.”
Earlier, heavy rain played havoc at the Hockenheimring as Vettel misjudged a basic entry into a turn and slid over the gravel into the barriers with 15 laps to go.
The four-time Formula One champion started from pole position and seemed in control. He kicked the gravel in frustration as he stepped out of his car.
“I threw it away. It was my mistake,” Vettel said. “I was a tiny bit too late on the brakes, locked the rears and I couldn’t turn. It wasn’t the biggest mistake I’ve done, but one of the most costly ones.”
His mishap opened the door wide open for Hamilton, who is 17 points clear of Vettel after trailing by eight beforehand.
The British driver was fourth at the time of Vettel’s sudden lapse, having started from 14th on the grid because of a hydraulic problem in qualifying.
“You’ve always got to believe,” said Hamilton, adding defiantly: “For those who don’t know me, now you do.”
Bottas started and finished second, with Kimi Raikkonen taking third for Ferrari.
Lance Stroll of Montreal did not finish after starting in 17th.
Hamilton’s win moved him level with F1 great Michael Schumacher on four German GP wins.