Pastor Maldonado

[stefan_]

Yes, that is from when Maldonado almost killed a marshall in Monaco.

[myurr]

+1 generally agree. But in this season for this championship the snap decision has to be to take what you can get, until you can get what you want. I think Maldonado would have eventually got 3rd, so points for a 4th place would have hurt less than a DNF.

Then you get a reputation for moving out of the way if anyone gets close to an overtake, so people are more likely to just stick one up in the inside in future. You do yourself more harm in the long run if you stop racing and gift positions.

[andartop]

There's a very fine line between allowing yourself to become an easy target and acknowledging you can't possibly defend a position and you'd be better off avoiding the risk of a possible contact and going for the (valuable) points.

We know well where Hamilton stands:
"You never let people past, you've got to race for every position you can get."

History will judge whether this attitude will result in more wins and championships for Lewis or the opposite.

I can't help but admire his spirit. But spirit alone isn't always enough to win in F1.

[beelsebob]

There's a very fine line between allowing yourself to become an easy target and acknowledging you can't possibly defend a position and you'd be better off avoiding the risk of a possible contact and going for the (valuable) points.

To be honest, the fact that Hamilton held Maldonado off for more than half a lap says to me that the pass was not guaranteed. It was a losing battle for Hamilton, and Maldonado probably would have got past, but I don't think it was a done deal. With any other driver, I don't think there would have been a collision.

For what it's worth – I think up until that moment, it was the most exciting section of a grand prix I've seen in a while, because someone was actually able to defend!

[Red Schneider]

I've only seen the incident a couple times on YouTube, but the -only- possible criticism of Lewis I can think of is that -maybe- he should have been more aware of the fact that Maldonado is completely mental, and been a bit more careful given the latter's reputation.

Of course you fight tooth and nail for every position, but if the guy behind you is known to be insane maybe you should give it another thought. Especially if he's not a fellow championship contender late in the season.

[mx_tifoso]

Had it been a smarter and logical driver going up against Maldonado, everything would have been fine. Patience was necessary and even though Maldonado can be reckless at times, he was racing and would have stuck the overtake but Hamilton didn't give any room.

[thearmofbarlow]

Had it been a smarter and logical driver going up against Maldonado, everything would have been fine. Patience was necessary and even though Maldonado can be reckless at times, he was racing and would have stuck the overtake but Hamilton didn't give any room.

Why the hell should the man on the racing line give room to the man that has just put all four wheels of the track? No. It was absolutely Maldonado's responsibility to concede the position and try again next time. PERIOD.

[Nando]

This was clearly Maldonado´s fault here. What Hamilton did is not illegal and he´s not exactly alone in doing that.
I remember Maldonado in Australia as an example.

Maldonado was off the circuit, that means you can´t enter it as you please.
Noob mistake hitting the curb and being a passenger into Hamilton..

[mx_tifoso]

To avoid contact and finish the race, survival of the fittest. Hamilton stuck to what he "should" do, defend, but it didn't work as it usually won't with reckless drivers going up against each other.

[Pup]

Maldonado ruined his own race as well. He had a distinct advantage over Hamilton and with a little patience could have had him cleanly. Hamilton didn't have that luxury. And there was no guarantee that Maldonado was going to pass him. Maldonado could have just as easily put himself into the wall, eager as he was to get ahead. That's why they actually run the races and don't just hand out the trophies to whomever's car looks the fastest in winter testing.

Yes? Or am I misstating what the haters usually say about Hamilton? Trying for consistency here.

Anyways, I do believe I saw Mr. Maldonado earlier pushing Kimi wide at that very spot and in the very same way and in the very same race. I wonder why Kimi just didn't plow into the side of Maldonado?

Jeez guys, the kid has a history of being a complete numpty at close quarters. Makes Massa look like a real ace. And he has a history of crashing into people just for spite.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

It's kind of ironic that Hamilton fans say he shouldn't have to give room because he was on the right racing line. It's hilarious honestly because the exact same thing happened last year with Massa and everyone blamed Felipe because he didn't give room even though he was on the right racing line. Funny how that works isn't it?? I didn't agree with that line of thinking then & don't agree with it now. But it's still funny how some people say one thing, but when it's their driver, they forget all about it.

That said I think the accident is all Maldonado's fault. Lewis was clearly ahead & had the position. Pastor said Lewis pushed him off the track. Well then why in the hell would he come from off track to try and put part of his car on the inside? Lewis was hitting the apex, no way he's just supposed to give in. All Pastor had to do was back off a little and try again.

This is a recurring problem with him and I think the situations he keeps putting himself in speak for themselves & his thinking.

[beelsebob]

It's kind of ironic that Hamilton fans say he shouldn't have to give room because he was on the right racing line. It's hilarious honestly because the exact same thing happened last year with Massa and everyone blamed Felipe because he didn't give room even though he was on the right racing line. Funny how that works isn't it?? I didn't agree with that line of thinking then & don't agree with it now. But it's still funny how some people say one thing, but when it's their driver, they forget all about it.

I agree – it was a retarded argument then, and it's still a retarded argument, the racing line has nothing to do with whether you should give room. Hamilton didn't have to give room here because Maldonado was off track, and not even competing for position any more. He didn't have to give room at the corner exit because it's well established that pushing an opponent out wide at a corner exit is a valid defence technique, and it's reasonably expected that the attacker will back out and try a different approach.

That said I think the accident is all Maldonado's fault. Lewis was clearly ahead & had the position. Pastor said Lewis pushed him off the track. Well then why in the hell would he come from off track to try and put part of his car on the inside? Lewis was hitting the apex, no way he's just supposed to give in. All Pastor had to do was back off a little and try again.

Agreed.

[GrizzleBoy]

It's kind of ironic that Hamilton fans say he shouldn't have to give room because he was on the right racing line. It's hilarious honestly because the exact same thing happened last year with Massa and everyone blamed Felipe because he didn't give room even though he was on the right racing line. Funny how that works isn't it?? I didn't agree with that line of thinking then & don't agree with it now. But it's still funny how some people say one thing, but when it's their driver, they forget all about it.

That said I think the accident is all Maldonado's fault. Lewis was clearly ahead & had the position. Pastor said Lewis pushed him off the track. Well then why in the hell would he come from off track to try and put part of his car on the inside? Lewis was hitting the apex, no way he's just supposed to give in. All Pastor had to do was back off a little and try again.

This is a recurring problem with him and I think the situations he keeps putting himself in speak for themselves & his thinking.

Except that:

1.
Felipe turned into a car that was on the track. Sure it was in front of his racing line, but you dont just drive through a car because its in your way. Cars dont disappear because you have the line.

2.
The offending car in this instance wasn't even on track and tried to re-join the track where there was literally no space to do so.

Its hardly the same thing imo.

[smellybeard]

History will judge whether this attitude will result in more wins and championships for Lewis or the opposite.

This is exactly it. Very well put.

[sAx]

+1 generally agree. But in this season for this championship the snap decision has to be to take what you can get, until you can get what you want. I think Maldonado would have eventually got 3rd, so points for a 4th place would have hurt less than a DNF.

Then you get a reputation for moving out of the way if anyone gets close to an overtake, so people are more likely to just stick one up in the inside in future. You do yourself more harm in the long run if you stop racing and gift positions.

Don't believe you (nee he) would. Everyone knows LH is one of the toughest racers, but in this season more than any other because of closeness in performance and points in the championship, you have to know when to win and you have to know when to collect the points. Alonso for example knows exactly that, which is why he will be there or thereabouts come November.