Post
by François » 30 May 2011, 18:20
Nice work phil. Just goes to show how fine a line there is between a brilliant, bold, perfectly executed move that earns you dithyrambic praise and a slightly misjudged one that ends in tears and lots of bad press.
I still say, in hindsight (which makes it is very easy), that Hamilton should've known better. He had been all over Schumacher's gearbox for several laps when he pulled that move, Schumi would've known he was there and fully expected that he should try something. On the other hand, there he goes trying to surprise Maldonado at the restart, I bet that surprised him alright! The guy had driven his best race of the year and was on course for some big and very much needed points, with the end basically in sight; he was probably more concerned with bringing it home safely than watching for a desperate overtaking attempt.
A move like that requires, at the very least, a bit of cooperation from the driver in front since Hamilton was never going to be fully alongside him (let alone in front!) before the corner. A quarter of a car length behind is still behind. Probably felt it might be his only opportunity, which was just untrue: Webber managed a clean pass on Kobayashi (of all people!) moments later, in a far less risky place, and I don't think the difference in car performance is bigger between RBR and Sauber than it is between McLaren and Williams. Had he waited just a couple more laps, he would definitely have had his chance. Had he fired a couple warning shots before trying, who knows, maybe Maldonado would've yielded just like Schumacher did. Maybe not.
A one-race ban? Don't be ridiculous. It was a mistake, not a deliberate attempt to shove someone out of the road.
