Stewards did not view Verstappen’s on-board camera

Formula 1 race director Michael Masi returned to the incident between Max Verstappen and Lewis hamilton during the São Paulo Grand Prix, justifying the methodology applied by the commissaires. The two title contenders clashed again directly on the track, Hamilton first attempting to overtake his rival with the help of the DRS, but Verstappen’s defense then caused the two cars to go off the track at turn 4. A few laps later, the pilot Mercedes managed to take a definite advantage.

Shortly after the maneuver, the sports directors of the two teams spoke by radio with Michael Masi. At Mercedes, Ron Meadows was moved by Verstappen’s attitude while at Red bull racing, Jonathan Wheatley argued the “Let them race” theory, which was eventually followed by the Stewards.

“I don’t agree that it’s inconsistent”, defends Michael Masi. “We analyze and, as I have said several times already, we judge the incidents on a case-by-case basis, and we look at it all. And let’s not forget that we have the general principles of ‘Let them race’. all of that, with all the angles we had, that philosophy was adopted. “

The race director specifies that this approach was chosen “for the good of all”, taking into account “the proximity of the cars, the entry into the bend, its placement and the nature of the bend” before adding: “The fact that both cars went off the track, neither lost space or something like that, was probably the general opinion on this issue.”.

On the other hand, Michael Masi confides having hesitated for a while to send Verstappen a warning via a black and white flag, which he finally received later for having zigzagged in a straight line. “It crossed my mind, and then I looked a few more times, and frankly, it was not far from being a black and white flag for Max.”, he admits.

The crucial … and missing point of view

There is, however, a central point in this file and it concerns the video evidence available to the commissioners. Let us recall that the incident was “noted” then that they decided not to open an investigation strictly speaking. To make up their mind, however, they did not have access to Verstappen’s on-board camera, except the one focused on its rear spoiler, and thus could not observe its movements at the wheel. These images exist but were not broadcast live and the commissioners did not see them either.

“There were only the cameras that are broadcast, and that’s basically what we have access to throughout [du Grand Prix]”, confirms Michael Masi. These images can however be found after the race. “Absolutely, the front-mounted on-board camera, the 360, and all the camera angles that we don’t see live will be uploaded and we’ll watch them after the race. We don’t have them yet. They’ve been requested.”

The images from Verstappen’s on-board camera could then contradict the initial decision of the commissioners, especially if they clearly showed a steering wheel movement from the Dutchman towards Hamilton.