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‘Liar’ Lewis disqualified from Australian GP
David Smith02.04.09
Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from the Australian Grand Prix after the world champion and McLaren were effectively accused of lying by race officials.
And after stripping Hamilton of third place, the FIA warned the driver and his team they could face further punishment.
Hamilton and McLaren were said to have given “deliberately misleading” evidence to stewards in Melbourne who were investigating why Toyota's Jarno Trulli overtook the Briton while running behind the safety car, which is against the regulations.
After new evidence was considered by a special meeting of stewards in Sepang ahead of Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, it was decided to exclude Hamilton from the Australian race's results.
McLaren lost their points for the constructors' championship and Trulli was restored to third place, behind Brawn GP's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.
Trulli said: “I just wanted justice, and I am happy I got it. I have always been honest and it has paid off.”
Hamilton fled to his hotel without commenting but team principal Martin Whitmarsh said McLaren would not appeal and admitted: “We made a mistake. Experience has told us you've got to accept these decisions. These things come along, and you have to build on your concentration for races to come.”
The controversy surrounded the climax to the race when Trulli careered onto the grass, allowing Hamilton to legally overtake as the Italian had lost control. The McLaren driver is understood to have told stewards that, after Trulli had left the track, he momentarily moved off the racing line because he was distracted by a reading in his cockpit.
It was then that Trulli, believing the slowing McLaren had a mechanical problem, retook third place, which earned him a 25-second penalty which demoted him to 12th.
However, a study of previously unheard McLaren radio transmissions indicate that Hamilton was, in fact, ordered to slow and let Trulli pass — contradicting what the world champion is reported to have told the stewards.
Also, Hamilton is said to have told SpeedTV: “I was told to let him back past, but I mean . . . I don't know if that's the regulations, and if it isn't, then I should have really had third.”
A statement issued by the FIA said: “The stewards, having considered the new elements presented to them, consider that Lewis Hamilton and McLaren acted in a manner prejudicial to the conduct of the event by providing misleading evidence deliberately.”
But Whitmarsh insisted: “There is no implication that Lewis lied to the stewards. As I understand, there is a belief that the team was not explicit enough in the content of the radio communications to the stewards.
“What they believe is that the omission of the information about the radio communication between the team was withheld, and that is what they believe was misleading. At the time, the team asked race control several times about the re-pass but they were too busy to answer so we felt the decision in the aftermath was fair.
“I think it's a regrettable day. It certainly wasn't a deliberate attempt (to mislead the stewards).”
However the FIA have said that they “could not rule out further action at this stage,” although any further action would be decided by the world motor sport council.
Reader views (18)
How can FIA be blamed for making the sport a farce but Mclaren / Hamilton be considered 'the best team' despite being caught at lying, cheating, spying etc? They were a good team & could have kept their dignity by just going out and winning races.
- Janine R, Benoni, South Africa
Yes, I am one of those spaniards who loves Hamilton... but I am very glad of the great british victory with the Brawn Team last week, they did deserve it, and it was thrilling.
But why so many british guys cannot just admit that the Mclaren team is really, really weird. Are you bind? Have you forgotten when they tried to steal Raikkonen championship, with their lawyers, after he won the tittle? And all the pathetic spies history...
And what they did to Alonso was shameful... really.
I mean, guys, you have so many great sportsmen, like you have showed in the Olympics. You should be a little worried about Hamilton and his team because I think they give a very bad image of your country, sorry
- Miguel, Madrid, Spain
Many sportspersons have been economical with the truth in order to get an advantage. However, Hamilton did more than that. He lied to get a fellow professional into trouble and take the two extra points from him. With this knowledge, I don't know whether he deliberately ran into the rear of Raikkonen's stationery car in front of the red lights in Montreal last year to take him out of the race - as Raikkonen would have taken the lead. Shame on Hamilton. I can also imagine some sponsors are having second thoughts about him now.
- Wwuk, Essex U.K.
SO what ? An English champion who has a desire to win and is prepared to do what it takes to win. Yes, maybe he should stop taking such an agressive driving line as well ?
- Jim, Geneva, Switzerland
The sooner F1 folds and we get some decent racing from some other formula - on the track, rather than in court - the better.
Incidentally, why don't they introduce an offside rule in F1 to liven it up?
- Aaron, London, UK
It's a mistake in not being truthful ? well at least he didn't behave as a Englishman, more like a Swiss citizen !
- Joe, Swanley Kent
This is ridiculous. The FIA just dislike the best team in F1: 'Mclaren'.
- Rob, Woodford, Essex
Lewis has long been shown to be a ruthlessly selfish individual whose driving at times showed disregard for other drivers. Now he has shown he is even prepared to lie to get what he wants. Switzerland, kick him out.
- Js, Bristol
Lewis 'Pinocchio' Hamilton has been caught bang to rights.
- Tom, Putney, London
F1 seems quite pointless these days. For a sport testing drivers' skill, they should all be driving the same car. And on the techical front, we need a formula that generates spin-offs of benefit to the average motorist. I'd suggest fuel-limited racing. Anything goes with the car, but you have to finish the race using a limited amount of fuel, the same for every competitor.
By the way, why doesn't every F1 car carry two video cameras, facing front and rear? Then there could never be any dispute about who did what.
- Nigel, London
What a shame.
- Alex Lisinge, Putney, London
Hold on,there has been another stewards enquiry. Everybody has been disqualified,and the chief steward has his name in lights.Ha Ha goodbye F1 as we know it.
- G.Diamond, Romford Essex
It always seems to be McLaren who have points deducted after the race. Max, the Whacks, Mosley's personal animosity towards Ron Dennis has been ommon knowledge for many years and these events suggest that this may have a bearing.
It is time for a change at the top of Formula 1.
- Martin Fielding, London, England
F1 is now a farce, in space of a month you have had a awards/world championship position changed from most points wins to most GP wins in season is World Champ if someone with more points but less wins, win and then reversed back again to old current system. Now we have someone removed from 3rd place in the results now a week later put back to 3rd. What a mess. Quite why Coulthard did not get a position as a permanent GP Steward to judge these incidents is beyond me for as a commentator he is awfull.
- Mike, London England
This sport is rapidly becoming a laughing stock. Is it worth while even watching a race when days later it all changes again.
Maybe they should ask again and see if they get another decision?
- Mark, St Albans
How did they lie and what were the lies?
- Jaberwokie3, Switzerland
When watching a football match my Grandmother once said why don't we just give them each a ball instead of having them fighting for the same one ?
Well why do we race Formula 1 races now: we could have these people just sitting round a table and deciding who wins the next race.
- Terry. B, Toulouse, France
So Hammy - still arrogant but now reinforced with lying - tsk tsk
- Clive, Shortlands Kent
