Lewis Hamilton says that he wouldn’t have backed out of his scrap with Charles Leclerc at the Italian GP and the set”could have collided” – if he was not chasing a sixth Formula 1 name.
The Mercedes driver had been squeezed off the track and had to cut round the region to avoid contact and the group went wheel-to-wheel coming the chicane, although hamilton was hunting down race-winner Leclerc for much of Grand Prix enthralling.
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An accident would probably have ruined both motorists’ races, and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed that Hamilton”had been instrumental rather than making it an episode”.
But asked if he would have done anything differently if the F1 2019 championship was resolved, Hamilton confessed:”I would not have proceeded. We would have collided.”
Hamilton has been 63 points using seven races ahead of closest challenger Valtteri Bottas remaining as he looks to become the second driver in F1 history together with six shingles.
“The driver that goes for the Drivers’ Championship stored Charles and rescued himself” added Wolff, who felt Leclerc’s movements were”possibly on the line”.
“Lewis understood exactly what he was doing, he didn’t lose any bits or components in that episode, but he could have equally decided,’I’m not going to let this happen’, and place the 2 cars outside.”
Hamilton looking forward to battles that are Leclerc
Hamilton contested the stewards’ decision to not inflict a harsher punishment on Leclerc and branded the driving because”dangerous” on staff radio – but later insisted he had no issue with”one of the very respectful drivers” at Leclerc.
“There is no lack of respect,” Hamilton told reporters. “We don’t have a issue, we are not in a struggle, I congratulated him if he got out of the vehicle.
“Charles is one of the very respectful drivers. This is the first time that I have gone and having a new driver, you learn how they position your vehicle differently next time and maybe approach situations that are various. Perhaps I’ll do a better job next time.”
Hamilton continued:”There is zero problem with people he did an outstanding job and I really don’t have any difficulty with this, it is what it is.
“I haven’t spoken to him and also we don’t have a problem but when we get a moment together we may talk, just reverse roles and be certain that he is cool that when I am able and that happens and that’s cool and that’s how we are rushing.
“From what I understand going into the race you’re supposed to leave a gap, now I do not know whether that is the case. But it’s great that we are able to race hard and now was.
“We’ll continue to race and I am looking forward to many more races ”
Hamilton pleased to’race such as that’
Leclerc has been given the black flag by race stewards, F1’s variant of a’yellow card’, and Wolff said he considers that rule is likely to make contact between the drivers”common practice”.
But while Hamilton called for more consistency in regards to rules and penalties, he said he’s happy to race.
“If that is the way we are permitted to race then I shall race like this,” he said. “As long as we know that you’re allowed not to leave a car width by way of example, as long as you aren’t contradicting us and there’s a very clear message.
“So you’re allowed to run wide even if someone is there and you only receive a warning sign, and you simply need that after to potentially keep the guy behind you.
“As long as it is clear that that’s how moving forward it’s fine so I know how to enter battle and it is the same for all the motorists.”
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