Formula 1: Why Pastor Maldonado Should Not Be Driving at the Canadian Grand Prix

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: May 31, 2012

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The 2012 Monaco Grand Prix was a bit of a damp squib. The promised rain never arrived, and overtaking was all but impossible.

The most interesting part of Sunday's action could well have been that annual moment of wondering whether someone was going to spray champagne on Prince Albert.

Not this time, sadly.

Yes, it was a bit of a stinker. But a far more interesting event took place during the third free practice session on Saturday morning.

First, a trip back in time. During qualifying for the 2011 Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton overtook Pastor Maldonado at the final chicane towards the end of Q2. 

Maldonado had been held up by cars in front of him and was going very slowly. Hamilton was on a hot lap, needed the time to get into Q3, and was in no mood to give up on the lap. He was within his rights to pass and attempted to do so.

They touched, and it cost both of them a bit of time. They crossed the line with the chequered flag out, meaning the session was over. Now on in-laps, they were expected to head back to the pits.

But the red mist had descended inside Maldonado's helmet. Feeling aggrieved, he appeared to do what no racing driver ever should—he intentionally barged into Hamilton as the Brit cruised down towards Eau Rouge.

The speed was relatively low and the damage caused minor, but the intent was there—and it was still dangerous. It appeared to most that Maldonado had used his car as a battering ram to get revenge on a rival he believed had wronged him.

Respected F1 commentator Martin Brundle said at the time, "If they don't send Maldonado home for that that's not right. You cannot do that."

He wasn't sent home, instead receiving an exceptionally light punishment—a five-place grid penalty for the race. That's the same penalty you get for accidentally missing a braking point by two metres and hitting another car.
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Formula 1

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