Martin Brundle issues ‘unquestionable’ verdict on Lewis Hamilton and George Russell incident at Spa

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Martin Brundle says he wouldn’t have penalised Lewis Hamilton for his collision with George Russell at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Hamilton and Russell tangled at the Les Combes chicane on the opening lap, with the Mercedes driver unable to continue after spinning into the gravel.

The stewards gave Hamilton a five-second penalty for the incident, his second in as many races after a false start at the British GP.

Martin Brundle suggests Lewis Hamilton penalty at Belgian Grand Prix was harsh

Hamilton, tucked up behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, said over the radio that he had ‘no front end’. That may have contributed to a small slide before the contact with Russell.

In an unbroadcast message, he said it was put in an ‘impossible position’. Russell himself called it a racing incident in the media pen, but the stewards disagreed.

Speaking in commentary for Sky Sports F1 (19/07, 14:10), Brundle said that Hamilton had been given adequate room, but didn’t expect a penalty given that the stewards are typically more lenient on the first lap.

“Russell was late on the brakes, then goes around the outside of Hamilton and gave him racing room,” he said.

“Sort of six of one, half a dozen of the other, isn’t it? For me, it will be perceived as a racing incident.

After hearing Hamilton’s radio message, he said: “Lewis is obviously slightly nervous about it because he felt the need to get the justification in, knowing it will be fed into the system.

“George unquestionably left more than a car’s width on the inside. I don’t think there’s any finger-pointing at George Russell on that.”

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When the penalty was announced, Brundle added (14:25): “The stewards have the steering and throttle traces, lots of camera angles and data.

“That’s their decision. I don’t think it’s one I would have made but then I don’t have all the other pieces of information they have.”

Hamilton crashed in FP3 on Saturday, so this has been an uncharacteristically scruffy weekend for the seven-time world champion.