To know and understand the fate of Lewis Hamilton at Interlagos it will be necessary to wait a few more hours. The decision linked to the investigation of Lewis Hamilton for an irregularity noticed after qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix has been postponed to Saturday.
The announcement was made by the board of sporting commissioners of Interlagos who, after having met and discussed for more than three hours, have decided to update the hearing linked to the investigation of the 7-time world champion on the day in which the Free Practice 2 and the Sprint Qualifying.
“Good evening everyone. The Stewards have updated the hearing relating to Document 18 of the FIA Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix 2021 pending further tests that will not be available until morning (in Brazil)”, reads the widespread note in the Italian night between Friday and Saturday.
The Mercedes driver had been placed under investigation just hours after qualifying ended for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which laid out the starting grid for the F1 Sprint Qualifying scheduled for Saturday.
The technical delegate of the FIA, Jo Bauer, has scrupulously verified the conformity of the W12 number 44 with the technical regulations, finding an irregularity in the rear wing. To be precise at the DRS, at the distance between the main profile of the wing and the movable flap that is raised once the Drag Reduction System is activated.
The regulation provides that the distance between the two profiles can reach a maximum of 85 millimeters, no more. Instead, according to Bauer’s verifications, the distance between the main plane and the flap would have been greater. For this he brought the matter to the attention of the commissioners and, at that point, Lewis was put under investigation.
Everything hinted at a quick decision on their part. Then, however, a video appeared on social media in which it is possible to notice how Max Verstappen, once he reached the Parc Fermé having finished qualifying, got off his RB16B and headed towards Hamilton’s W12, touching the rear wing. of the same after having done the same thing on his car.
This video was also taken into consideration by the commissioners who, however, did not want to expose themselves. They will do it tomorrow, awaiting new evidence and then making a decision. Should Hamilton’s car be deemed irregular, the 7-time world champion would be disqualified and would be forced to start the Sprint Qualifying from the back of the grid.
Meanwhile, the rear wing of Hamilton’s W12 has been impounded and an FIA delegate will remain on surveillance of the 7-time world champion’s car to ensure that it is not touched or modified in any way, waiting to be examined again tomorrow. .
If that were the case, it would be a bad blow for Hamilton and his hopes of winning the eighth world title. It would be for morale, for the standings, for the points. For his part, Verstappen would start from pole position with the possibility of securing the 3 points foreseen for those who win the event on Saturday and repeat on Sunday. Not a real match point, but it would be something very similar to a KO hit. For Hamilton.
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