F1 star Lewis Hamilton is under investigation over his driving at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. Hamilton, who leads the F1 Championship, has been accused by Mark Webber from Red Bull of forcing him to hit Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel. Webber says Lewis Hamilton was speeding up and slowing down erratically behind the safety car. Lewis Hamilton is 3 to 1 odds with Bodog to win the Chinese Grand Prix this Sunday.
An FIA official said: "We understand the stewards of the meeting have received new evidence and are looking into the relevant matter. 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."
Incredibly, the evidence officials are looking at is believed to be footage from popular video website YouTube.com. The footage was filmed from the grandstands at Fuji. The YouTube.com images show Hamilton decelerating dramatically, forcing Webber to slow down and clip Vettel. Webber commented: "It contributed to Sebastian hitting me up the back because he (Hamilton) wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing, clearly. He spoke in the drivers' meeting about how good a job he was going to do and he did the opposite. Still, we know for next time."
The collision took place on lap 45 when Webber nearly passed Hamilton before Vettel collided with him. F1 regulations state the leader must keep within five metres of the safety car. Regulations also state that erratic driving can also be punished.
Article 40.10 of the F1 Sporting Regulations: "The safety car shall be used at least until the leader is behind it and all remaining cars are lined up behind him. Once behind the safety car, the race leader must keep within five car lengths of it."
Hamilton is believed to have already met a three-man panel of stewards at the Chinese Grand Prix. The panel are currently deciding whether to take action over the incident. Should the rookie be found guilty of dangerous driving he could have his points from the Japanese race wiped out. That said, the most likely punishment would be a 10-place grid penalty for the Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton’s Tokyo win gave him a 12-point lead over defending champ Fernando Alonso. If Hamilton avoids a points deduction, he could win the title on Sunday.
