This isn’t the first time Hamilton has felt he’s been an unfair target for the FIA, however, having said that ’they’re trying to stop him’ in the past.
The 37-year-old was chasing a possible 91st Grand Prix win to equal Michael Schumacher’s record when he arrived at the Sochi Autodrome for the 2020 Russian Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s race, however, did not get off to a good start after he was handed two five-second time penalties for practicing starts in a non-designated area. Watch here:
Hamilton eventually finished in P3, still chasing the record set by Schumacher. Following the race, the Briton was asked if the penalties were excessive. He said:
Hamilton would eventually go on to equal the record in the next round at the Nurburgring in Schumacher’s homeland of Germany.
Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 Russian Grand Prix penalties called ‘simple’ at the time by Michael Masi
While Lewis Hamilton thought the FIA was trying to stop him at the 2020 Russian Grand Prix, FIA Race Director Michael Masi called the punishment ‘simple’ at the time.
Speaking to the media following the race in Sochi, Masi said:
Masi then went on to elaborate by saying:
Masi’s strict policy irked Hamilton then when he was on the brink of a record. Masi’s interpretation and implementation of the rules during the 2021 season finale have now reportedly left the Briton ‘disillusioned’.
Both Masi and Hamilton await the results of the FIA’s ongoing internal investigation into the end of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Reports indicate the Mercedes driver isn’t keen to see Masi return as Race Director.
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