Have they got it in for Hamilton?

[rov1200]

Hamilton excluded from Aussie GP

Trulli (front) was passed by Hamilton (back) when he slid off the track
Lewis Hamilton and McLaren have been stripped of their podium finish and all points at the Australian Grand Prix.

The sport's world governing body said they were excluded "for providing evidence deliberately misleading to the stewards at the hearing on March 29."

A post-race hearing promoted Hamilton from fourth to third after Trulli was penalised for passing the Englishman while the safety car was out.

The Toyota of Trulli has been reinstated to third place.

[New Judge]

I am rapidly going off Formula One.

It seems in this instance Hamilton and McLaren are somewhat at fault. However, the proper thing to do, since it was the stewards who got in wrong initially (in relegating Trulli) would be to reinstate Trulli third and Hamilton fourth.

The sport is rapidly losing credibility. Already just one race into the season (which looks quite promising) we have debacles such as this. The results of the first two races will remain �provisional� anyway, because the authorities could not rule on a scrutineering matter until after Malaysia. This is a ludicrous situation.

Spectators and TV viewers (among whom I count myself in both categories) are becoming extremely frustrated with the administration of this sport. Time and again we see results changed days after the race, often for what are highly dubious reasons especially where collisions occur. I have followed the sport seriously for more than twenty years and, prior to the past couple of years, cannot remember a simple racing collision being penalised during or after a race as frequently as has happened recently.

I do not believe there is a �Hamilton/McLaren conspiracy�. But I do believe the stewards need to shape up and act so as to provide the paying punters with what they want � races which are determined on the race track and not in an office some weeks later.

[McNoodle]

The smug little get cheated, along with his team, and got caught. Simple as.

[vulcan]

Unlike New Judge I am not rapidly going off formula one, I went off it years ago when the whole thing descended into farce.It's the only race in the world where you can win or lose by standing still,ie refueling.It has become no better then glorified Scalextric.

[rov1200]

And we have still to wait for the court case over the Braun cars which may get stripped of their win involving Jenson Button. As you rightly say its all becoming a farce!

[JimmyCooper]

Formula 1 is the most boring "sport" I have ever had the misfortune to watch.

Be more interesting if every car had exactly the same engine then it would be purely down to driver skill

[New Judge]

The engines (or at least the power hey produce) are very similar, Jimmy.

It is the rest of the car, particularly the aerodynamics, the general setup and the suspension which makes some cars perform better than others.

[jg96]

Watching British Touring Cars 10 plus years ago now that was motor sport

[eltelioni]

It is absurd that the teams are unable to interpret the rules without help from the race director. Trulli went off under safety car conditions. Hamilton went past him, then neither he nor the team knew whether he had to relinquish the position. They were trying to ask the race director what to do. This is absurd! The rules should be absolutely clear in situations like that. Unfortunately, McLaren have to ask because they know the stewards will do their utmost to find fault with their behaviour. McLaren got no response from the race director so they played it safe and let Trulli pass. They thought they had done the best thing under the circumstances even though it disadvantaged them but that still isn't good enough, the stewards then penalise them for not revealing the detail of the radio discussion.

In what other sport would you be penalised for deliberately disadvantaging yourself! I don't know how McLaren maintain their cool under these circumstances.

And they penalised Vettel for trying to defend his position. Ok, he was obviously going to lose it at some point, but the guy is a racing driver. He is not going to give up easily - and we don't want him to.

While I am in rant mode I must have a dig at people who choose to contribute to an F1 discussion by saying the sport is boring. I think football is boring but I don't get the urge to say so in a discussion about football, between football enthusiasts.

[sigma]

No eltelioni, you chose a discussion on F1 instead

[eltelioni]

?

[cazzz1975]

disgusting considering ferrari are allowed to break all the rules and have done so for years. the FIA have had it in for mclaren for years, they lost all their point over spygate yet renault who commited the same crime had no action taken over them

[Beatrice35]

Well spoken Eltelioni :-) Both Bea + hubby wathches F1 + we are both bemused as to all the recent decisions which seems to be penalising Lewis Hamilton as much as McLaren. To be honest makes no sense to me, yet, hope Lewis wins some races soon( without any penalties) to prove a point by winning. Was delighted with Jensen Button's win, too :-) Also, like you Eltelioni not a fan of football yet love F1. Also, love tennis, rugby, athletics + a few more sports :-) Eltelioni- just ignore the foolish comments ( most people on AB are lovely yet there will always be an odd one or two pop up every so often- best to ignore them as this drives them the craziest + the more they keep talking the more foolish they look anyhow). Rov1200- agree with you, think there are many jealous people in F1 who are acting unfairly towards Hamilton bizarrely. Thanks for starting this thread, too ;-) Warmest wishes, Bea :-)

[eltelioni]

Thanks Bea.
My friends and I refer to the FIA as Ferrari International Assistance. "Got a problem with your Ferrari? Losing the Grand Prix? Just call the FIA!"

[Beatrice35]

Very good Eltelioni :-)
;-) Have a great day this fabulous Friday :-)

[McNoodle]

It's not about the rules of the racing - it's about the fact Hamilton blatantly lied to the stewards. Now the little snake is actually using the excuse of "I was only acting under orders"!! The man can't even think for himself.l

[crazycathy2]

Very good eltelioni - love Lewis

[crazycathy2]

mcNoodle - can you define the blatant lie please ?

[McNoodle]

He told stewards he had not been told to allow Trulli to pass him when the opposite was true, a fact borne out by team radio transmissions, ie. he lied. Direct quote from BBC news. He went on to say that as a'team player' if he was asked to do something he generally did - has he got no balls of his own?

[MORELLO]

If you look at various sites inc' BBC and the Guardian Hamilton admits his wrong doing and the fact he basically lied, more than once. He's now hiding behind the 'I was only following orders' bull. Don't know what's worse... Take the disqualification as is deserved and move on.