WhiteBlue wrote:Lycoming wrote:I think both of them were a bit surprised by how much Kobayashi came back at Hamilton. Hamilton just didnt consider the possibility that he would be there (and by the time he got there he would have been looking at the apex anyways). Kobayashi was equally surprised to have gotten so deep on him. Almost like he was just on the racing line and by combo of high top speed and late braking, got alongside Lewis.
The way I see it they both got DRS which Lewis probably did not realize. As a result he did not think that Koba was still alongside. Lewis drifted left all the way up the hill and that was basically it. He cut Kobayashi all the space when Kamui needed to turn in. The Sauber turns in less sharply than the McLaren. So Lewis would probably have left him one or two feet of space if he had been aware of the speed of the Sauber. I think that is the reason why he took the blame eventually. He assumed that Kamui was behind and the guy wasn't.
Pretty much agree with both of those comments. Focussing on Lycoming's comment: "Kobayashi was equally surprised to have gotten so deep on him" I think that probably summarises it well, although Kobi-san doesn't quite put it in those words.
However, I would like to express a view on the position that Kobi got himself into and I do this with some trepidation since my experience at braking from 330km/h and turning into Les Combes in close company with another F1 car is strictly limited.
Half way up the hill, Lewis ahead of Kamui, Lewis makes a (legal) jink to the right to (presumably) break the tow. He knew that his car had too much down force dialled in on the day. Approaching Les Combes Kamui starts to come back at Lewis thanks to his own KERS and slightly more slippery configuration. Thing is, he's on the left of the track and that's predictably where the leading car, Lewis's, is going to want to be to turn into a right hander.
From looking at the video over and over (and here I would again cite my humility caveat above), it seems to me pretty apparent that Kamui, whilst he had more momentum than Lewis for a couple of seconds, was not going to get anywhere near to passing Lewis before the turn in point.
And
that's the reason, in my view, why Kamui should take more of the blame. In other words, he allowed himself to get into an impossible position. Really, he should have slotted in behind Lewis. Lewis had the corner.
As for Lewis, he clearly felt he was past and he appeared to be 100% focussed on nailing the turn in point. Whether he should have factored in that Kamui might still be coming and coming on his left is certainly a question and one, I think, that is beyond my experience.
So I see it as shared blame but with a bit more going to Kamui. It seems there was no 'attitude' going on... just something that happens in those extreme circumstances. Perhaps that is why the stewards elected to take no action.
I was somewhat intrigued and surprised by Lewis's very servile Mea Culpa on his Twitter. It is almost as though his team has told him that what he doesn't need is aggravation from the FIA, the media or from race fans and that, unless any sin against him is 100% clear cut, it's best to put his hand up, plead guilty and get on with preparing for the next race.
BTW, all the above is on the basis that I don't support or follow any driver or team. I just follow F1 overall.
. If there was any blame to lay it was certainly in the direction of Lewis. At least however he had the decency to admit this himself.
