How Hamilton's undeserved ban peril highlights F1's rule dilemmas
OPINION: Before the Sochi stewards decided to rescind the penalty points included in Lewis Hamilton's Russian GP sanctions, he was on the verge of a race ban. Sense prevailed, but it highlighted problems in policing modern Formula 1
He sees the puff of dust rising from the gravel trap. He sees the car away in the distance to his left. He is on a critical final run in qualifying. He needs to hit back against a resurgent team-mate. He doesn't see the waved double yellow flags. He's in trouble. He gets the inevitable penalty. He misses the next race.
In another universe in two weeks' time, this could be Lewis Hamilton. Right now, that parallel person is staring down the barrel of a race ban. Lewis Hamilton - still in this parallel place as a six-time world champion - with none of the driving controversies that dogged the careers of his hero Ayrton Senna, and the driver he is surely soon set to equal as statistically the greatest of all time: Michael Schumacher.
Share Or Save This Story
Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.
A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.
More from Alex Kalinauckas
Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call
The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might
Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh
Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races
Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole
Latest news
Everything you need to know about the pitwall in F1 - who sits there and what does it do?
Alpine: "Shock" of having slowest F1 car triggered tech revamp
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Both DS Penske in the points in São Paulo
Autosport Plus
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Why Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes his mission to create a strong FIA is so important
The Beckham clues as to where Verstappen and Red Bull are heading
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.