Bahrain Grand Prix, Turn 4 controversy: Masi reacts
The controversy at Turn 4 provoked a great deal of reaction, particularly from fans, and forced the FIA to give its version of events in the Hamilton / Verstappen case.
It’s the highlight of the Grand Prix! Verstappen’s overtake on Hamilton at turn 4 was the pinnacle of the battle between the two men.
Having exceeded the track limits, Max was nevertheless forced to let Hamilton pass him again on orders from the FIA and his team, which did not fail to provoke a reaction from the fans.
Indeed, on several occasions Lewis Hamilton was seen clearly exceeding his limits, to the point where Red Bull relayed the message to Verstappen during the Grand Prix to use his limits because Hamilton was doing so.
In response, the FIA warned Mercedes about the possibility of showing a black and white flag to Hamilton for persistent track limits abuse, with the information conveyed to Hamilton through his engineer Peter Bonnington.
Reflecting on the incident, FIA race director Michael Masi explained that nothing had changed during the Grand Prix.
“Nothing has changed at all during the race,” Masi declared. “We had two people looking at every car at every lap in that area.”
The editorial review, to be found in the debrief of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Furthermore, Masi declared that the drivers were fully aware of this, in accordance with what Charles Leclerc stated at the end of the race.
« Regarding the tolerance given to drivers who go outside the track limits during the race, it was clearly stated in the drivers’ briefing and notes that this would not be monitored [regarding setting a lap time, for example] but that it would still be monitored, in accordance with the Sporting Regulations, that a lasting advantage overall must not be gained. »
Do not confuse exceeding the limits with crossing them.
Regarding Verstappen’s maneuver, Masi explains his decision by the fact that the Dutch driver gained a significant advantage by passing Hamilton off the track, and he had to give back this position as the Regulations indicate on any circuit.
« If an overtaking occurs with a car off the track and gains an advantage, a lasting advantage, I always take the radio and suggest to the team that they immediately give up that position. And that was very clear in this case », continues Masi, « Red Bull did indeed instruct to give back the position as stated in the Sporting Regulations. It was not for exceeding track limits but for gaining a lasting advantage by overtaking another car off the track. »
Here is something that should clarify the situation a little!
