Hamilton "punishment did not fit the crime" - Ecclestone
Hamilton "punishment did not fit the crime" - Ecclestone
Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes Lewis Hamilton's punishment for his British Grand Prix collision with Max Verstappen "did not fit the crime".
One of the most debated topics in years has divided opinion, with former champion Damon Hill claiming that amongst his circle of motor racing friends it is "50-50" as to whether Hamilton or Verstappen was to blame for the lap-one Copse corner clash.
The stewards ultimately determined Hamilton was "predominantly" at fault, with the seven-time champion hit with a 10-second penalty that infuriated all inside Red Bull.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ecclestone also feels Hamilton got off lightly. "Who was to blame? You have to say Lewis.
"In the old days, we would have said it was one of those things, a racing incident. It was clear that everyone was doing his best to win the championship.
"But if the stewards needed to get involved then they should have given Lewis more than a 10-second penalty. It should have been 30 seconds.
"Lewis was not in front at the point they collided. It wasn't his corner. He was almost a car's length behind. That's why he hit him at the back, not the front.
"Ten seconds was not right. The punishment did not fit the crime."
Hamilton confidence lifted again
In the build-up to the Silverstone race, Ecclestone had suggested Hamilton "was not the fighter he once was" after seeing him come off second best in numerous on-track skirmishes with Verstappen this season.
But after witnessing the Hamilton of old on Sunday, Ecclestone has been quick to change his mind and now feels the 36-year-old will go on and win a record-breaking eighth title.
"Lewis has got his act together and I now think he will win the title," added the 90-year-old. "He had lost an edge before Sunday but he did what he needed to do.
"He has just signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes. The reason he did it was that he thought he would need an extra season or so to beat Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles.
"But I can guarantee that this incident has got his confidence back, in a way it hasn't been there all year. He has a better chance than before. It has given him a lift and it's back to the old Lewis."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Red Bull chief admits interest in poaching TWO rival stars
- 25 minutes ago
Audi agree LONG-TERM F1 deal with star driver
- 1 hour ago
FIA boss HITS OUT at 'court of public opinion' after interference allegations
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Horner reveals Verstappen SECRET as team reveal surprise name change
- 3 hours ago
Ferrari announce DRASTIC change as Verstappen issues dire warning to bosses - GPFans F1 Recap
- Today 00:27
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- Yesterday 22:57
Related news
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
Hamilton struggles pinned on Mercedes by team's OWN driver
Cocky sporting legend CHALLENGES Hamilton in stunning claim
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860