29/07/2016
NEWS STORY
While the rest of the world pondered the legality of Nico Rosberg's pole-winning time in Hungary, Lewis Hamilton opted to visit FIA Race Director, Charlie Whiting, to discuss the matter.
Consequently, just over three hours after the session had ended the stewards decided to investigate the incident, though they eventually cleared the German of any wrongdoing, allowing his pole lap to stand.
While Hamilton has since denied that his meeting with Whiting was not to get Rosberg's pole lap thrown out, but to have the rule clarified, Mercedes technical director Paddy Lowe has admitted that the Briton's move was "regrettable".
"It's my understanding that Lewis did go and see Charlie but it wasn't in any way to seek a review of Nico's lap," said Lowe at today's official press conference. "It was for his own understanding of what should be done in the future, how that should work for him in the future.
"I think that was regrettable," he admitted. "Personally, he should have kept to advice from the team and we can obtain that from Charlie as necessary.
"But I don't think there was any harm done," he added. "It was just a misjudgement from that point of view."
Speaking earlier today, Whiting said the reason for the delay in investigating Rosberg's lap was due to the investigation into the numerous drivers who had not posted a time within 107% of the best time - ironically Rosberg's - in Q1.
"We looked at it first off and the stewards said we think it was fine," said Whiting, who then revealed that when watched from a different camera angle (not Hamilton's phone before you ask) the stewards deemed there was cause to talk to Rosberg.
"The stewards felt looking at it from a different camera that maybe we need to have a chat with Nico, and we did," he said. "They accepted his explanation and that was that. I don't see a big issue there personally. I would rather they be thorough and get it right, than rush it and get it wrong."
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