via Reuters
Formula One F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – July 22, 2022 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is seen in his garage during practice REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – July 22, 2022 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is seen in his garage during practice REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
There might not be many races that Lewis Hamilton would want to forget. But the Belgium GP at Spa was one such instance that he would like to take out of his mind. Hamilton started the race from 4th position but was out before the end of the first lap. His attempted outside-the-track overtake resulted in a collision with Alonso, ending his race prematurely.
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The collision was measured at 45g on the SDR recorder in the car, which is massive, especially on a vertical load. Lewis Hamilton continued to race until he was told to stop the car. Hamilton in particular will be frustrated because he could have gotten a potential podium finish in Spa.
However, fans on Twitter were furious and demanded FIA conduct an inquiry on why Lewis Hamilton was not helped by any of the marshals present on the scene. Furthermore, questions were also raised as to why a medical car wasn’t sent to pick up Lewis and take him directly to the medical center.
45G impact and it took 1:55s for the marshals to engage, that is terrifying pic.twitter.com/Uyd3sxCYnO
— s 🐝 (@formullana) August 31, 2022
Where were the fire marshals? Those two are flag marshals, they aren't allowed to move from their stations. https://t.co/IZokuiIiLX
— Sir Lewis Updates (@LH44updates) August 31, 2022
The whole thing is sub par in my view and why did the Medical car not stop and oblige him to be checked? 45 G impact after all 😱
— Giselle Mitton (@mitton_giselle) August 31, 2022
45g impact, no medical car was sent out and lewis had to walk all the back to the mercedes garage 😐
— soph (@sophwebsterxx) August 31, 2022
Medical car drives past Lewis Hamilton as he comes to a stop, but never returns. #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/gl40d7pKOb
— deni (@fiagirly) August 31, 2022
This just made me so much more angrier on his behalf. The constant disrespect and dismissal this man gets for a sport he’s carried on his back for years?! They don’t deserve him honestly.
— side eyeing above my mask (@blk_mascara) August 31, 2022
The FIA was also brutally trolled by F1 Twitter for not following basic safety or medical procedures, but was quick to exempt jewelry from the race track due to ‘safety reasons.’
It’s frustrating! They draw the line at nose piercing and how unsafe it is ..how is this safe or okay!
— out of context Sebastian Vettel (@ocsebvettel) August 31, 2022
the FIA will say having no nose ring meant it was unnecessary for a medical car and team to be deployed, had he been wearing a nose ring, the race would immediately have been stopped and airlifted to hospital lol
— F1FaNaTiC #DankeSeb (@KJ16976372) August 31, 2022
I guess they suspected Lewis was wearing jewellery and so decided it's not worth the risk to their own personal safety to go near him…
— Jay 🏁 (@f1lmer) August 31, 2022
READ MORE: “Never Say Never”: Lewis Hamilton Continues Hard Fought Battle to Turn Long-Time F1 Dream a Reality
Lewis Hamilton says he’s ‘grateful to be alive’ after the Spa collision
Every great athlete commits a mistake once in a while. Lewis Hamilton admitted that it was his fault in the Belgium GP, which eventually ended his race in the 1st lap.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 27, 2022 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton gets into his car before qualifying Pool via REUTERS/Geer Vanden Wijngaert
Lewis said, “Looking back at the footage he was in my blind spot, I didn’t give him enough space. It is my fault. Just, so sorry to the team. I could not see him. I am sorry to the team and I need to recuperate and get back on the treadmill.”
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He added, “I remember looking at the ground, it was definitely high up. I’m grateful to be still alive and in shape,”
With Lewis’ retirement, his streak of crossing the chequered flag in every race this season came to an end. Although, the Mercedes ace will be looking to use the disappointing weekend as extra motivation to perform well in the upcoming race in Zandvoort.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Rich History of F1 races in Las Vegas Throughout the Years
Mercedes will have to pull up their socks if they want to finish the season ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors Championship. The Brackley-based outfit currently trails the Italian constructors by 41 points. However, they will be looking to push The Prancing Horse in the business end of the season and overtake them.
