“Even a 7-Time World Champion Makes Mistakes”: F1 Legend Shields Lewis Hamilton Against FIA’s Harsh Clampdown

Formula 1 is a place where machines touch the zenith of their engineering marvels, and sometimes it’s easy to forget that behind the wheel sits a human. These drivers, with the weight of their nation’s hopes, the expectations of legions of fans, and the responsibility of their team’s years of hard work, tackle every curve, straight, and challenge the track throws at them. But just like the rubber that meets the road, they too have a threshold. So, what happens when one of the sport’s most celebrated icons, Lewis Hamilton, faces a momentary lapse, a brief misjudgment?

The ripples of that moment are felt far and wide, leading to debates, discussions, and even decisions that could change the course of a championship. As the dust settles on the recent Qatar Grand Prix, one legend steps forward to give his take on a controversial incident that’s got the entire F1 community talking. British F1 legend Johnny Herbert shared his two cents in defense of the seven-time World Champion. Speaking exclusively to Lucky Block, Herbert, a three-time F1 race winner, touched upon the high-profile clash between Hamilton and George Russell and the consequent fallout.

The fallout of the crash for Lewis Hamilton

“Lewis Hamilton is definitely a role model,” said Herbert, underscoring the British racer’s esteemed status in the world of motorsport. But that doesn’t mean he’s beyond making errors, as Herbert candidly admitted, “Walking across the track was the wrong thing to do.” 

Shedding light on the contentious moment during the race, Herbert mentioned, “The criticisms leveled against him for the accident with Russell going into Turn 1 was not fair, that was part of racing. He only needed to give another six inches for it to be absolutely fine, but his judgment was not quite there.” But FIA’s initial response to Hamilton’s move was a reprimand and a $50,000 fine. Herbert, with his unique vantage as a former FIA driver steward, believes the ruling body could use a more lenient touch. Emphasizing the inherent human nature of errors, even by the best, he remarked, “Even a seven-time world champion makes mistakes. Even the best have made mistakes. And Lewis has made very few mistakes in his career. I’d struggle to count them on the fingers of one hand.”

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Adding a broader perspective to the world of Formula 1, Herbert concluded, “Sometimes I just think the sport should just let the drivers race, let them get on with it without making so many rules which interfere with the race itself.” And just when we thought the FIA had put the matter to bed, the governing body stirred the pot by announcing a revisit to the incident.

Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Role Model’ status: FIA’s commentary sparks debate among motorsport enthusiasts

Why, you ask? Hamilton’s fame as a sportsman. Yep, you read that right. The FIA seemed to suggest that because Hamilton is a “role model,” his track-crossing escapade might send the wrong message to young racers. Unsurprisingly, the motorsport community went, “Wait, what?” Pundits and fans alike raised eyebrows over the FIA’s wording, questioning whether Hamilton was being unfairly spotlighted. Responding to the collective groan, the FIA clarified that their ‘role model’ comment was about Hamilton’s standing as a top-tier racer. Basically, they’re saying, “If you’re in F1, kiddos look up to you.” So, no singling out, apparently.

“Ok, I get it… But ‘Due to his role model status’ – Is unnecessary/clumsy wording,” motorsport commentator Alex Brundle chimed in. In a more understated tone, Alex commented on the FIA’s recent statement, suggesting that perhaps in the future, they might consider reviewing their messages with others before releasing them to the public. Indeed, clarity and precision in communication are crucial, especially in the spotlight of the media.

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In the whirlwind circuit that is Formula 1, where the shine of polished metal meets the grit of human endeavor, it’s crucial to remember the legends aren’t superhuman. They’re flesh and bone, sometimes making split-second decisions that, in hindsight, might not be podium-worthy. While the F1 community can debate Lewis Hamilton’s on-track choices till the cows come home, let’s not forget the man has more championship titles than most have hot dinners. Until the next controversy, buckle up, F1 fam; it’s always a wild ride!