10/06/2019
The 2019 Canadian F1 Grand Prix was marred by a very poor decision from the stewards office.
Sebastian Vettel, whilst being chased by Lewis Hamilton, ran off the track and was penalised for returning to the track in an unsafe manner. Such a penalty is generally applied when a driver has gone off, but is in full control of their car when they return to the track. It was not meant to be applied to cases where a driver is still struggling to regain control, as was the case for Vettel.
Many past F1 drivers, including Martin Brundle, Jonny Herbert and Jenson Button made it clear that the penalty should not have been applied. Far worse mistakes have been made by drivers who have not received any penalty.
If a penalty was to be given, it might perhaps have been argued that it could have been for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. It would be a harsh call, as he was certainly not further ahead after the mistake than before, but it might have made a little more sense.
There have been many Hamilton fans who have declared that the punishment was just and that it was his chasing of Vettel that forced his mistake.
Hamilton's chase may well have been a contributing factor to Vettel's error, but, in probably one of the greatest displays of F1 driving at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, Jenson Button showed what real pressure can do and how to win the race on the track.
That was racing, whereas the result of the stewards' interference has made the 2019 race a farce.
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