Hamilton calls out Verstappen tactics in F1 ‘grey area’ criticism

Lewis Hamilton has highlighted the problematic “grey area” in F1’s overtaking rules, which he feels rival Max Verstappen has long exploited to his benefit.

The issue has come to a head again following the United States Grand Prix, in which Lando Norris was penalised for overtaking off track, despite being pushed wide by Verstappen.

The accusation levied against the Dutchman, is that he has essentially found a loophole in the F1 regulations that means – even if he is behind heading into the braking zone – as long as he is ahead at the apex of the corner, he can retain his position, sometimes whilst forcing his opponent outside the limits of the circuit.

Hamilton was on the receiving end of this tactic on a number of occasions during the fraught 2021 F1 season, including in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, which has been used as a point of comparison to the incident from the Circuit of the Americas.

“It’s always been a grey area,” the 39-year-old told media including RacingNews365 when discussing the exposed point of contention in the rulebook. “That’s why he’s [Verstappen] got away with it for so long.

“I experienced it many times with Max. You shouldn’t be able to just launch the car up the inside and be ahead and then go off, and still hold the position.”

The permanent stewards solution

Hamilton feels the situation is not helped by inconsistent stewards decisions that can change “weekend in, weekend out” across a season.

He underlined his point by drawing comparisons with other international sports, calling for F1 and the FIA to pursue permanent, fully-employed stewards to tackle the issue.

“They [F1 and the FIA] probably need to make some adjustments, for sure,” the seven-time drivers’ champion remarked.

“Also, you do have inconsistencies on rulings, weekend in, weekend out, obviously depending on which stewards are there.

“As a sport, we do need to level up on all areas. You look at other global sports, they have full-time refs, and I’m sure that wouldn’t be a bad thing for our sport.”