I know, but there are claiming that Lewis is somehow to blame for the accident because he did not allow Pastor back on track. But it was not Lewis' responsibility.

The rules clearly state:
"20.2, Drivers must use the track at all times. For the avoidance of doubt the white lines defining the
track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not.
A driver will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with the
track.
[b]Should a car leave the track[b/] the driver may rejoin, however, this may only be done [b]when it is
safe to do so[/b] and without gaining any advantage."

It clearly was not safe for Pastor to rejoin when he did as it caused an avoidable collision. Hence the penalty given to him.

If only it was really that simple. Stewards and rules have never been known to get it wrong.

Two images of this incident above all convince me that the Stewards simply had to be seen to be doing something. Both drivers are to blame to a certain extent and no rules, stewards action or inaction will change those images ever.

What are you talking about man, I've been watching the sport for 30 years and the crowding rule has never been enforced by th stewards. Hamilton's actions last Sunday won't change anything.

The crowding rule wasn't enforced at Monaco last year when Maldanado crowded Hamilton over the line at Ste Devote, and it wasn't enforced when Kimi crowded Hamilton over the line in the chicane at Spa in 2008, and as I said, I don't think I've ever seen the rule enforced in all my 30 years of watching.

I don't blame Maldanao entirely for taking all four wheels over the line either because it has become something entirely allowable in recent seasons. I think it was Australia either last year or the year before when Vettel was allowed to keep a win after an overtake on Button was only possible by running clean off the track after the pass - his speed meant he couldn't stay on track - and the overtake was vital to his victory, yet it was allowed.

In the race we're talking about we saw many cars taking all four wheels off the line throughout the race, yet nothing was done.

You're doing it again. Maldonado was wro g to re-enter the circuit when he did, and how he did. No-one is disputing that, so just repeating that stuff over and over is pointless. What people are talking about is, let's call it 2 things.

1) The legality, and 'sporting' behaviour of pushing or squeezing someone off the circuit. Remember that Rosberg and Hamilton /Alonso had an incident, and folks were mightily upset with Rosberg for moving all the way to the right, (resulting in Hamilton overtaking off the circuit with no penalty), as well as Rosberg being investigated. That is one part of the discussion.

2) The wisdom of driving so defensively,and forcefully, on the penultimate lap, when you need to accrue points for the championship.

Neither of these have anything to do with Maldonado's return to the circuit, and these are entirely worthy of discussion, without being shot down because some people think the matter is closed by Maldonado's penalty.

I'm not saying Tiff didn't have money, but saying someone isn't as good because they didn't get into F1 is just ludicrous.

I genuinely can't believe this thread's still going.


Didn't the race finish back on page 48 or something?

If Lewis was crowding, Maldonado would have been in the wall before the corner.

Lewis' tyres were fubrarred - Lewis knew this but still went for a daft overly aggressive defensive move long after he should have abandoned it and tucked in behind Pastor and nabbed a few points as apposed to losing them all.

The rule is not aplicable when the driver has been forced off the circuit because the other driver didn't give him the room he has to give.

Says it all really. You really do not have a clue about the rules.