F-1 investigation of Japanise G P !
 

Formula One officials are investigating Lewis Hamilton's victory in last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, amid allegations that he engaged in improper driving, a FIA spokeswoman said Thursday.

Officials are reviewing video evidence suggesting that Hamilton's driving behind the safety car at the rain-lashed Fuji Speedway led to a crash that ended the race for Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

"New evidence has been brought to the stewards' attention and they are currently looking into the matter," said the spokeswoman for the FIA, the sport's governing body.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this particular stage, in particular as to what penalty, if any, might be imposed."

The British rookie leads the race for the world championship by 12 points, with two races left. But if found guilty of improper driving, his points from Japan could be erased or - more likely - he could face a grid position penalty in Shanghai. Hamilton was expected to meet with Formula One stewards on Friday.


The incident was missed by official TV coverage, but a clip posted on the YouTube video sharing website shows Hamilton slowing dramatically and veering to the right of the track just before Vettel rear-ended Webber.

Vettel has been penalised ten grid positions at the Chinese Grand Prix for his role in the crash, and Hamilton could expect a similar punishment if found to be in breach of Formula One safety car regulations.

Webber and Vettel have both since been critical of Hamilton's performance.


looks like he made them slow down???....I don't know???

I checked out the video. It's too short for me to form a definite opinion.

While I hate the fact that Ferrari don't have a winning driver again this year, I'd hate to see his world championship title at risk just because of something that was "maybe improper".

storm --> teacup.

Something similar happened a few months ago in the Indy Car Series, a few races shy of the championship. I didn't read of a scandal in the papers, or an infraction because of it thereof, but on the on-air replay and review of a two-car collision, one of the drivers(Dixon, I believe) backed up his machine, preventing two cars to pass and slowing them down considerably right before the final lap. It is arguable whether or not this was "improper", or if he had every safety precaution in mind when trying to get out of the middle of the trak, but the timing and action of it made it look very dirty and unsportsmanlike.

Keep us posted, bobby.