Bernie Ecclestone: Hamilton’s moves were questionable but critics went over the limit – Formula 1
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said that McLaren-Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton did drive a little over the limit in the Canadian Grand Prix of the 2011 season but the critics were too harsh upon him.
Ecclestone said that Hamilton is an aggressive driver just like Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button but the 2008 world champion was someone special.
Ecclestone added that Hamilton’s aggression is comparable to Ayrton Senna who earned respect from his aggressive style.
Hamilton ended his race and probably the championship battle when in the Canadian Grand Prix, he crashed into his own teammate, Button and ended up off track.
The Brit was criticised by many former Formula 1 drivers on his extremely aggressive driving style.
Now Ecclestone has spoken in favour of Hamilton to help the struggling Brit.
“Lewis has made one or two questionable moves, but so have many of the others and nobody bothers to look what's happening further down the field. It's always been like this. We saw a lot of people racing in Canada on Sunday, and Jenson did a super job. That's
what the fans want to see,” commented Ecclestone.
The 80-year-old Formula 1 head added, “People have been wrong to rubbish Lewis. Let him race. That's what people like him do. I was very, very good friends with [Ayrton] Senna, and if you look at what he did, he was a racer too, and people had to move over
for him.”
Hamilton tried to make a move on his own teammate just in the seventh lap of the wet Montreal race. In the process, he collided with the wall and punctured his left rear tyre.
Former Formula 1 world champion Nikki Lauda recently stated that Hamilton should be stopped before he brings some fatality on the track through his reckless driving.
Hamilton was not penalised for his acts in the Montreal race but now he finds himself fourth on the drivers’ championship table which is a punishment itself.
The season continues with the European Grand Prix scheduled to take place in Valencia next weekend.
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