[ad_1]
FIA F1 race director Michael Masi has responded to Lewis Hamilton’s claims that the FIA is “trying to stop him”, saying the stewards were simply administering the regulations by handing out penalties to the six-time world champion. at the Russian Grand Prix. .
The race in Sochi saw controversy even before it started, with Hamilton suffering two five-second penalties for taking practice outings from the pit lane. Originally, he also received two penalty points as part of the infraction, but the stewards later revised him to a team fine, but not before the championship leader had accused the FIA of treating him unfairly.
READ MORE: Hamilton says ‘it feels like we’re fighting uphill’ as he lashes out at ‘ridiculous’ penalties
“From my perspective, it is very simple that if Lewis wants to raise something, as I have told him before and I have told all the drivers on numerous occasions, the door is always open,” Masi said.
“I am more than happy to discuss anything, but I think from the perspective of the FIA we are there as a sports regulator to administer the regulations.
2020 Russian Grand Prix: Hamilton receives two 5-second penalties
“We have the delegates as an independent judiciary to adjudicate them, and therefore there was a violation and it doesn’t matter if it was Lewis Hamilton or any of the other 19 drivers, if there has been a violation of the regulations that they will consider on their merits.
“And on top of that, I’d say award it fairly and fairly in the circumstances, taking into account all the key elements.”
READ MORE: ‘I will never give up’ – Bottas glad to answer critics with Russian Grand Prix victory
Hamilton’s claim that there has never been an issue with him training starting lower in the pit lane elsewhere was also addressed by Masi, after the runaway championship leader was limited to third place behind his teammate. of team in Mercedes Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen of Red Bull for their time penalties.
“The practice start location is obviously very circuit specific and is detailed in the event notes. Therefore, in all other events, Lewis, along with all the other drivers, met the requirements of where they take a practice start according to the instructions of the race director.
“I would say that the reason we determine where the practice start location is is for the safety of all drivers, and also so that everyone is aware of what is really going on. We determine your location for a deliberate reason. “
Lewis Hamilton criticizes ‘ridiculous’ penalties at Russian GP
Apparently the double penalty was due to Hamilton taking two practice starts from the position in question, but it turns out that it was actually due to violating a different regulation by stopping where he did at the pit exit.
“It wasn’t really a second sanction,” Masi said. “There was a violation of two elements of the regulation that stood out. One is the article within the race director’s event notes, the second is Article 36.1 of the Sports Regulations that establishes that he must maintain a constant speed through the pit exit path, the pit exit path is defined for being where the red lights are at the pit exit. to the Safety Car line “.
Speaking before the penalty points were removed, Hamilton has said that it is now up to him and his Mercedes team to be “squeaky clean” at the upcoming events.
