Formula 1 governing body, the FIA, has confirmed a second investigation will be held into the incident between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The German driver was already given a 10-second stop and go penalty during the race for deliberately pulling alongside and hitting the Mercedes after initially hitting the back of the car in what the four-time champion thought was a brake test.
However, this fresh look into the confrontation is likely to determine whether Vettel brought F1 into disrepute with his actions and could have a major impact on the championship battle.
“Following the recent incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in which Car 5 (Sebastian Vettel) was involved in a collision with Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), on Monday July 3, the FIA will further examine the causes of the incident in order to evaluate whether further action is necessary,” an FIA spokesperson said.
“A statement regarding the outcome of this process will be made available before the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix (July 7-9).”
Several comparisons are being drawn between Vettel and his hero, seven-time champion Michael Schumacher who was famously involved in two acts of deliberate contact, albeit in championship finales, against Damon Hill at Adelaide 1994 and Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez in 1997.
Further, the Ferrari driver was already on somewhat of a tightrope with the FIA, following his foul-mouthed rant towards Race Director Charlie Whiting.
Though a letter of apology ended that matter it was duly noted: “In the event of any future incident similar to the one that occurred in Mexico, disciplinary action will be taken by bringing such incident before the FIA International Tribunal to be judged.”
While the acts are different, the potential consequences are similar, that means the outcome of this second investigation will be waited upon with baited breath.
