Lewis Hamilton has called for a major rule change in Formula One that could impact Max Verstappen.
Hamilton and Verstappen have had some legendary battles over the past few years, culminating in the one of the most controversial races in the sports history in Abu Dhabi three years ago.
Since then, Red Bull have dominated the field meaning battles on the grid between the two drivers have been few and far between with McLaren’s Lando Norris taking the role of Verstappen’s main title rival this season.
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The pair clashed again during the recent United States Grand Prix with Norris being handed a five-second penalty for overtaking outside of the track limits and therefore losing his position on the podium to Verstappen.
It was deemed by the race stewards that Norris ‘lost the right’ to overtake Verstappen and despite both drivers going off the track, it was the Brit who was penalised. Norris also claimed Verstappen did a similar action on the first corner of the race but was not punished.
Mercedes driver Hamilton called for changes to be made to stop Verstappen benefitting in future.
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"It's always been a grey area," the 39-year-old said. "That's why he's got away with it for so long.
"They probably need to make some adjustments, for sure. Also, you do have inconsistencies on rulings, weekend in, weekend out, obviously depending on which stewards are there.
"As a sport, we do need to level up on all areas. You look at other global sports, they have full-time refs, and I'm sure that wouldn't be a bad thing for our sport.
"I experienced it many times with Max. You shouldn't be able to just launch the car up the inside and be ahead and then go off, and still hold the position."
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Hamilton used the Brazilian Grand Prix as an example where Verstappen was handed a penalty for causing a collision with the seven-time World Champion on the first lap following a safety car.
Hamilton explained: “If you take Brazil into account, for example, under braking you're ahead but then the car [on the inside] just comes off the brakes and doesn't make the corner and you have to go wide. Then they'll say you both went wide but you had no choice because you had to avoid a collision.
"There definitely has to be something done about it because it's happening a lot now. You shouldn't be able to come off the brakes, run more speed in, go off track and still hold your place."
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Ahead of the next GP in Mexico, Verstappen’s lead is 57 points in the drivers championship with 146 points up for grabs in the next five races.
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris
Marcus Banks