Hamilton: The precedent that’s been set is not good

The double yellow flag incident during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, a week ago, continues to be the talk of the Formula 1 paddock, with reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton questioning the interpretation of the rule.

Hamilton believes that the lack of action taken over, Mercedes teammate, Nico Rosberg’s pole lap in Hungary has set a dangerous precedent to all other drivers about what is acceptable in a double waved yellow flags scenario.

Speaking to media ahead of the German Grand Prix weekend Hamilton said, “The rule has been written and I’m pretty certain even before my time, but since I started racing when I was eight, the rules have been written exactly the same since then and meant the same since then.”

“They just seem to be interpreted differently from year to year. I think that’s really what’s in question,” mused the Mercedes driver.

“Right now, it’s clear from the last result that’s I think how all us drivers can approach it the same way as the precedent was set in the last race unless it’s rectified this weekend,” Hamilton said.

During the decisive final phase of Q3 at Hungaroring Hamilton was forced to abandon his final flying lap after Fernando Alonso spun his McLaren which instigated double waved yellow flags in Turn 8.

Rosberg, also on his flying lap, was one of the last drivers to drive past the double waved yellow flags and went on to set the fastest time in the session and claim pole position for the race.

Race stewards investigated the incident but found that Rosberg had slowed enough and his pole winning lap time stood.

Hamilton added, “That’s the precedent that’s been set. We’ve not been told any other way so all you have to do is do that little lift which is not good in the big scheme of things. It’s not good. That’s why I made so much noise about it at the last race.”

“One day there’s going to be someone on the track. Then they’re going to be like ‘you have to slow down half a second and not go faster in the sector’. But hopefully they’ll make that decision before then,” concluded Hamilton.

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