Ferrari was left fuming in Valencia on Sunday night after Lewis Hamilton overtook the Safety Car in the European Grand Prix. Although the championship leader was handed a suitable penalty, the Italian team feel the punishment came at a pointless part of the race.
With the Safety Car having been deployed on Lap 9 following Mark Webber’s gigantic accident, overhead video analysis confirms that Hamilton was fractionally behind the Safety Car when crossing the final line as the pit exit officially ended.
Although the McLaren man was rightfully given a drive-through penalty on Lap 25, the 2008 Champion changed his fuel mixture and set the fastest lap of the race before taking the punishment on Lap 27.
Helped by Kamui Kobayashi battling with Jenson Button behind, Hamilton rejoined the race without losing position.
“The outcome of this Grand Prix leaves us with a very bitter taste,” said Ferrari Team Principal Stefano Domenicali.
“We had everything we needed to clinch a good result and we have ended up with a handful of points which is even less than we brought home from our worst race, a month ago in Turkey - it is a real shame because over this weekend we have shown that we have made a good step forward in terms of performance and the opening stage of the race looked promising.
“Then came the unfortunate blow linked to the Safety Car period, which arrived at the very worst moment for us in that both our cars had just gone past the pit lane entry and therefore were forced to do a full lap behind the Safety Car - and that definitely compromised our race.
“I think that the incidents linked to the neutralisation put some questions on the table regarding how to manage situations like this and the eventual penalties linked to them. We have to ensure that our sport remains credible in the eyes of those involved and those who follow it, at the track and in front of their TV screens.”
Reaction:
Hamilton: Fernando is probably overreacting
Further post-race feeling from Ferrari:
- Alonso slams ‘manipulated’ race
- ‘Another horrible race’ for Massa
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