McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh has explained that Lewis Hamilton's information - stating that Jenson Button would not pass him in the Turkish Grand Prix - was an opinion of engineers, as opposed to a definite answer. The leading driver questioned his team over the matter shortly before being overtaken by his team-mate.
Following the Red Bull coming together on Lap 40, Hamilton was instructed by Chief Engineer Phil Prew to begin easing off in order to save fuel, sparking a query from the 2008 Champion as to whether he could then lose the lead to Button.
With the response being 'No', Hamilton was then overtaken at the end of Lap 48 before retaking the top spot as the following tour began.
With several pundits having questioned Hamilton's lack of enthusiasm during the post-race ceremonies with regards to his first win of the season, Whitmarsh explained on Tuesday afternoon that the radio communication which was broadcast in an F1.com race highlights video was relating to an 'opinion' as opposed to the likes of disguised team orders, as some fans and insiders alike have suggested.
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The conversation between Hamilton and Chief Engineer Phil Prew is as follows:
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McLaren: Lewis, we need you to save fuel. Both cars are doing the same
Hamilton: Jenson's closing in on me, you guys
McLaren: Understood, Lewis
Hamilton: If I back off, is Jenson going to pass me or not?
McLaren: No, Lewis…no
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"Shortly after he was told that Jenson wouldn't overtake him, Jenson did overtake him," Whitmarsh explained to journalists in a Vodafone phone-in. "Phil gave an opinion and it turned out that his opinion was wrong.
"They are both racing drivers and they had a challenge in that race. It wasn't expected that Lewis would lift as much as he did at Turn 8 and for Jenson, who is a racing driver, when he saw quite big lift at Turn 8 he thought it was his opportunity and then made the pass."
Martin then reiterated that McLaren's drivers are free to race, despite the pair having made passing contact at Turn 1. "There's a dilemma about how hard you can race," Whitmarsh continued. "In Turkey, we had it amply demonstrated that a team and its drivers can get that wrong, but there is no doubt that both of our drivers want to win."
Reaction to:
Hamilton radio: Jenson will not pass you
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