But Grosjean takes issue with stewards that Hamilton did not impede him; "There are some that moan all the time," responds Toto Wolff; Lewis expects Ferrari to play tactical game in race
Tuesday 18 July 2017 12:05, UK
Lewis Hamilton has been cleared to keep pole position for the British GP after the Silverstone stewards ruled he had not blocked Romain Grosjean in qualifying.
The Haas driver had complained that Hamilton had held him up during the Q3 top-ten shootout.
British GP Qualifying: Hamilton storms to pole
But the stewards ruled that "while Grosjean potentially may have been affected by the presence of Hamilton, he was not impeded".
However, a perplexed Grosjean took issue with the decision and implied Hamilton's world title fight may have impacted the stewards' thinking.
"If losing three or four tenths in one corners isn't impeding then l am very surprised," Grosjean told reporters. "The rules are pretty clear.
"I know there is a world title going on at the front but we are fighting just as hard as the boys at the front. I was impeded and l believe that the sanction…maybe if it was another driver there would have been something. It does feel sometimes that there are two types of decision."
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff responded: "There are some that moan all the time and just continue moaning. If Romain starts asking for penalties for other drivers, look at his track record. He should be happy he's driving in Formula 1."
The incident in Hamilton's own words
"I was coming round to start my lap and Valtteri was up ahead. I was trying, as we all do, to get the space. Behind me was a Force India which then came in so there was nobody behind me. Literally, as l was about to get on the gas l looked in my mirrors and saw there was a car coming and went as quick as l could. I don't know if l got in the way and if l did l apologise. I had no indication from anyone at the team that there was anybody coming. I think l just got out of the way without blocking him. I don't think he was that close when l did pull away. But I'd have to look at the footage again."
When's the British GP on Sky on Sunday?
The stewards' verdict in full
'The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
'No / Driver 44 - Lewis Hamilton Competitor Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Time 13:57
'Session: Qualifying
'Fact: Alleged Impeding by car 44 on car 8 in turn 16.
'Offence: Alleged breach of Article 31.6 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
'Decision: No further action.
'Reason: The Stewards examined video and telemetry evidence and concluded that while GRO may potentially have been affected by the presence of HAM at Turn 16, he was not impeded.'
Hamilton revels in Silverstone rain
With a record-equalling fifth British GP pole position standing for Hamilton heading into Sunday, the Mercedes driver was able to reflect on what Sky F1's Martin Brundle described as the "lap of the season".
His pole-winning margin of over half a second was the largest of the 2017 and Hamilton admitted he relished the changeable wet-dry weather.
"Growing up here [in the UK] and being up at [karting tracks] Larkhall and Buckmore Park, all these places where it was consistently raining, and there was interchangeable conditions," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Particularly in a Formula 1 car, it's so much fun because these tyres switch on and switch off, to keep it all in the window is a real challenge.
"I love the conditions, it is really tough, but it puts your skills really to the test. And when it dries out it really gets fun because it's really a race of who can get up ahead quicker than anyone else."
Will Ferrari play a tactical game?
Valtteri Bottas's five-place grid penalty means that, from a Mercedes perspective, Hamilton is isolated at the front of the field for the start of Sunday's race with the two Ferraris, Kimi Raikkonen and championship leader Sebastian Vettel, directly behind him.
The Englishman is confident he has the race pace to win, but is expecting Ferrari to throw some strategic curve balls into the fight.
"The key is obviously to get away into the lead," said Hamilton. "My long runs were very, very strong so I anticipate that being the same tomorrow. Positioning is really everything because it's very hard to overtake here. But as long as I can get out on that first lap I really do believe I can manage the pace.
"They will try to do some undercutting of some sort. It's either a one or two stop [race], we'll find out. depending on how I'm able to look after the tyres and the pace I have."
A fifth Silverstone victory for Hamilton would cut Vettel's title lead to a maximum of 13 points and, after seeing possible wins in Baku and Austria slip through his fingers for reasons out of his control, Hamilton said: "I feel like I'm driving the best I've ever driven so I hope the results can start to show that."
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