2018 German Grand Prix - Hockenheimring, July 20-22

[LionKing]

4. Entrance to the pit lane

a) The section of track leading to the pit lane shall be referred to as the “pit entry”.

b) During competition, access to the pit lane is allowed only through the pit entry.

c) Any driver intending to leave the track or to enter the pit lane should make sure that it is safe to do so.

d) Except in cases of force majeure (accepted as such by the Stewards), the crossing, in any direction, of the line separating the pit entry and the track by a car entering the pit lane is prohibited.

From a) and d) there is nothing that is track specific about it.
Hamilton entered "pit entry" then changed mind and joined track. This should have been a slam dunk penalty.

[LionKing]

Opps looks like someone was faster, glad we are not in wild wild west times ...

[SchuMassa]

However Wehrlein was already in the final chicane when he received the call from Sauber to pit, failing to stay to the correct side of the pit entry bollard, and incurring a five-second time penalty.

That's the opposite of what happened today. When you're coming in to pit, it says you have to stay on the right side of the bollard. AFAIK Hamilton did that, and then aborted his entry into the pits, and crossed onto the track. Is there a specific rule that would penalize this action ?

"Except in cases of force majeure (accepted as such by the Stewards), the crossing, in any direction, of the line separating the pit entry and the track by a car entering the pit lane is prohibited."

[matt_b]

Penalty or no Mercedes made a right mess of it though.

[Big Tea]

Opps looks like someone was faster, glad we are not in wild wild west times ...

That jst decides who shoots first, not which one does fatal damage.

[matt_b]

Penalty or not Mercedes made a right mess of it though. Stay out, No come in, Stay Out, No come in.

[MtthsMlw]

However Wehrlein was already in the final chicane when he received the call from Sauber to pit, failing to stay to the correct side of the pit entry bollard, and incurring a five-second time penalty.

That's the opposite of what happened today. When you're coming in to pit, it says you have to stay on the right side of the bollard. AFAIK Hamilton did that, and then aborted his entry into the pits, and crossed onto the track. Is there a specific rule that would penalize this action ?

"Except in cases of force majeure (accepted as such by the Stewards), the crossing, in any direction, of the line separating the pit entry and the track by a car entering the pit lane is prohibited."

No force majeure here, that's for sure. Talking point could be what exactly is meant by ''a car entering the pit lane''.

[Shrieker]

This is the unacceptable part. You can not have decisions based on who is driving the car.

Oh yes, yes you can -as unjust as it sounds- and literally does happen all the time. It all depends on the circumstances. Let's have a look at some of those in recent races:

France: Vettel barges into Bottas. Effectively ends his race. Would Grosjean or Magnussen have gotten away with only a 5 sec slap on the wrist ?

Britain: Kimi (no 2) barges into the no 1 driver of their rival team, in his home gp. Would Grosjean or Magnussen have gotten away with only a 10 sec penalty ?

Hm ?

FIA probably don't have the balls to demote Hamilton now, especially after what happened between Kimi and him last race, in Merc's home gp - IF there isn't a clear cut tailor made rule specifically penalizing what Hamilton did.

[RZS10]

Given how late this all came it is fair to assume Ferrari demanded an investigation .........

And given how fast they penalized Sainz they could have easily done the same (+5s) for Lewis - with that knowledge they could have gotten Bottas 5s away instead of just 4.535s ... so if they penalize him now it's dirty af

[Big Tea]

Reminds me of my girlfriend.

No, No , No, No. Yes-yes-yes- yes- no, no no no no .

[LionKing]

This is the unacceptable part. You can not have decisions based on who is driving the car.

Oh yes, yes you can -as unjust as it sounds- and literally does happen all the time. It all depends on the circumstances. Let's have a look at some of those in recent races:

France: Vettel barges into Bottas. Effectively ends his race. Would Grosjean or Magnussen have gotten away with only a 5 sec slap on the wrist ?

Britain: Kimi (no 2) barges into the no 1 driver of their rival team, in his home gp. Would Grosjean or Magnussen have gotten away with only a 10 sec penalty ?

Hm ?

FIA probably don't have the balls to demote Hamilton now, especially after what happened between Kimi and him last race, in Merc's home gp - IF there isn't a clear cut tailor made rule specifically penalizing what Hamilton did.

Bottas did worst last year at Baku, got no penalty. Both Vettel and Kimi got penalties.

Hamilton impeded Grosjean last year at Silverstone during Q3! He got no penalty. Vettel got penalty this year for Q2 in which Sainz did advance to Q3.

Kimi and Wehrlein got penalties due to pit lane entry, let's see what happens today....

[Shrieker]

I thought while watching the finals laps that Hamilton must be pushing like hell in case there was a 5 second penalty. The rules posted above are clear cut. However, there's still a slight chance to get away without a time penalty if they claim he understeered onto the track on a wet surface. The radio comms won't do them any favors tho.

[JonoNic]

Given how late this all came it is fair to assume Ferrari demanded an investigation .........

Why not Red Bull? Does it matter. Rival teams will ask to have it investigated.

[RZS10]

Ferrari are the only ones to gain anything from it + they're probably still salty because Vettel messed up.

[Jolle]

I thought while watching the finals laps that Hamilton must be pushing like hell in case there was a 5 second penalty. The rules posted above are clear cut. However, there's still a slight chance to get away without a time penalty if they claim he understeered onto the track on a wet surface. The radio comms won't do them any favors tho.

He know's after 2009 not to make up strange stories to the stewards.