Column: The fairness of F1

The fairness of Formula One has been questioned many times this season as it appears that people facing a hearing are treated in two different ways. The fact that Lewis Hamilton does NOT receive a penalty for his dangerous driving behaviour during the safety car period at the Japanese Grand Prix is another example of this.

With all the hearings that have been held this season and the ones that are still scheduled, it becomes more and more clear that the FIA measures with two criterions. They decided to punish McLaren, although there was no evidence found that the Woking-based team used the Ferrari information in possession of Mike Coughlan. Ferrari, who had information about McLaren as well, wasn't punished at all because of lack of evidence. I can understand the punishment for McLaren, but isn't it fair that Ferrari gets some kind of punishment too?

During the Hungarian Grand Prix, the FIA interfered in a matter within the McLaren team and punished Fernando Alonso in favour of Lewis Hamilton, the new darling of F1 and clearly of the governing body. And today, the stewards decided not to punish the young Briton for his irresponsible behaviour during the race at Fuji. Hamilton has put the other drivers in danger and is clearly not aware of this as he earlier stated: "I had a good weekend, I didn't put a foot wrong. I didn't do anything to put anyone else in danger."

The crash of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel was a direct consequence of the dangerous driving behaviour of the rookie who is leading the championship. Still Vettel is the only one who gets punished. Where is the fairness in this? The weather conditions were horribly at Fuji Speedway and the way Hamilton was driving behind the safety car was simply dangerous.

How much respect I might have for Lewis Hamilton, he deserves a punishment. The youngster was in the wrong and needs to be punished to prevent this dangerous kind of driving in the future. It's time for the FIA to treat everyone equally!