Recall how Lewis Hamilton was investigated by the FIA for crossing a live track at the Qatar Grand Prix. The 7X champ was called out by the FIA for being a role model and yet sending out the wrong message to aspiring young drivers. However, during the Brazilian GP, it wasn’t Lewis Hamilton who committed any shenanigans yet was blamed by Yuki Tsunoda for AlphaTauri’s exit in Q1. But why? 

The Interlagos Circuit is amongst some of the shorter tracks on the F1 calendar. As a result, there’s always a battle for track position when it comes to setting a lap in qualifying. On top of that, the threat of rain with 20 cars on the track is an invitation for at least one driver to be impeded. And that’s why Yuki Tsunoda decided mysteriously to put his blame on Lewis Hamilton when it wasn’t even the Brit’s fault.

The threat of rain loomed over the whole Q1 session in Brazil. In the dying moments, everyone went out on track to set a lap time on the improving track. However, in a battle for position on the track, drivers treaded slowly out of the pitlane. Yuki Tsunoda, who was behind Gasly, was unfortunate to be stuck behind the Frenchman. 

As the Q1 came to an end, both Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda failed to make it out of it. In the rush of getting out of the pitlane, it seems that The Japanese driver failed to recognize the slowly treading car of Ocon and when told about failing to qualify for Q2, put the blame on Lewis Hamilton as he was heard saying on the radio, “Lewis Hamilton, Lewis Hamilton, Lewis Hamilton”

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However, one might wonder why the cars didn’t stop at the end of the pitlane like they used to for creating a gap. Let’s get into the details of why. 

Why aren’t cars allowed to stop at the end of the Pitlane anymore?

At the last race in Mexico, George Russell along with other drivers stopped at the end of the pitlane to create a decent gap for himself on the track. This caused a massive traffic jam in the pitlane. The stewards noted the incident as it had happened in the past as well. The cars stopped at the end of the pitlane to maintain the minimum delta that the race directors set for a lap. 

However, coming into the Brazilian GP, it was announced that stopping at the end of the pitlane like Russell did in Mexico wouldn’t be allowed anymore. As a result, instead of stopping, the drivers crawled slowly out of the pitlane in an attempt to find that gap. Seems that FIA needs to tweak the rule for speed out of the pitlane as well.

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Regardless, the qualifying has once again added jeopardy at Interlagos just like it did at the high altitude in Mexico City. As the Brazil GP weekend is off to a crazy start on Friday, the sprint and the Grand Prix could amplify this craze and unpredictability, giving us a classic for ages! Let us know your predictions.