Hamilton was furious! The game was manipulated
After being overtaken by Verstappen on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, an angry Hamilton radioed to the team: "The race was manipulated. ”
In the early days of the safety car leadership, the five traps between the two were not allowed to unwind, so that even if the safety car exited, Verstappen would have great difficulties in achieving overtaking.
But on the penultimate lap, the race suddenly let five cars overtake the safety car, and the safety car ended in this lap. This completely angered the Mercedes team and Hamilton.
Let's look at the conversation between Hamilton, led by safety cars, and Race Engineer Bonington.
Wave: Mode 1, Mode 1
HH: I can't pit stop
Wave: No
HH: Unbelievable
At this time, Verstappen behind him took advantage of the safety car to enter the station and put on a new soft tire.
HH: What's going on behind you?
Wave: Verstappen just stepped into the station. There are four more laps after passing the finish line. The car must form a formation, and the snare car must be released. Maybe the game won't restart.
HH: Is he behind me?
Wave: If you reorder, he'll come up behind you. But the formation will last for a while.
HH: New tires?
BON: I understand, Lewis. If we pitted, we might lose our spot.
HH: The safety car went too slowly.
Wave: Stay away from debris and go left.
HH: The safety car has to be fast.
Wave: I understand, the car still has to be formed.
HH: Tell the safety car to drive faster and not give enough throttle on the straights.
BON: Got it, Lewis.
HH: How many cars are there between us?
Wave: Go to the left, there are five cars, and the formation has not yet formed.
HH: How many laps are there?
Wave: There are still 3 laps left after crossing the finish line.
Hamilton was clearly in a hurry at this point, but if it went according to normal procedures, Verstappen would have little chance to attack again. But then the decision made by the tournament officer changed the situation.
Wave: Snare racing can overtake, don't take the curve, take your own route and let them overtake it. They are not allowed to overtake and I think they may restart the race. Note that there is also foam in bend 14.
HH: There are a lot of fragments.
Wave: Keep the tires warm, and there's another lap after crossing the line. There are five cars between you and P2. Norris is behind you, he is a neutral fetus with 7 laps.
The race director then decided to clear the two snares between Verstappen and Hamilton, five cars to be precise. The snare car behind Verstappen was not allowed to overtake the safety car.
"Michael, that's not right!" Wolff was puzzled and angry at Marcy's decision.
Wave: They let the snare cars pass, let them pass. The safety car is going to go back in this lap. Get the tires ready, Strategy 5, so you have an advantage on the straights. There is also a lap, the safety car is at 15 bends.
After the race restarted, Verstappen used the tyre advantage to successfully overtake Hamilton.
Before crossing the finish line, Hamilton angrily told the team: "The race is being manipulated!" ”
Bonington replied at this point: "I am speechless, Lewis, I have nothing to say. ”
Then there was the long silence...