Nico Hulkenberg questions F1 stewards for Singapore GP penalty
Nico Hulkenberg does not understand why he was penalised for his collision with Felipe Massa in the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix without giving his view of the incident
Massa had just pitted and was rejoining the track when he collided with Hulkenberg at the apex, with the German sliding into the barriers.
The stewards made their decision during the race, deeming Hulkenberg to be at fault and handed him a three-place grid drop for next weekend's Japanese GP and two licence penalty points.
"The accident with Felipe was very unlucky and I don't understand why I've been given a penalty before there has even been the chance to discuss the incident in the stewards' room," said Hulkenberg.
"I saw Felipe coming out of the pit exit as I went through Turn 1, but I was ahead in Turn 3, I was on the racing line and I took the corner as usual.
"Then I felt the contact with my left rear and my race was over.
"In my view it was my corner and I'm surprised Felipe backed out of it much too late, locking up just before he hit me."
But Massa described the incident differently, adding: "I was braking for the corner and he turned his car in on mine, leaving me with nowhere to go, so we hit."
Under the current regulations, if a team has additional material it feels is relevant to the investigation, it can be referred to the stewards at the following race.
However, while Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley disagreed with the stewards' decision, he said the team will not appeal.
"I thought it was a racing incident: two drivers, neither of them gave any quarter and the inevitable consequences happened," he told AUTOSPORT.
"I don't think it's something we would contest.
"There was so much data there, so much visual that if they've made that decision, I think it would be wrong for us to contest it.
"We don't have to agree with it but I don't think we'll contest it."
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About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Nico Hulkenberg |
| Author | Lawrence Barretto |
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