{"id":293327,"date":"2023-10-29T08:30:41","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=293327"},"modified":"2023-10-29T08:30:41","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:30:41","slug":"lewis-hamilton-claims-brutally-rubbished-as-mercedes-ace-trying-to-save-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/racing\/f1\/lewis-hamilton-claims-brutally-rubbished-as-mercedes-ace-trying-to-save-face\/","title":{"rendered":"Lewis Hamilton claims brutally rubbished as Mercedes ace ‘trying to save face’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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IndyCar icon turned F1 pundit Danica Patrick has called out Lewis Hamilton after the Mercedes driver suggested that the skid blocks are not a performance-adding component of the car.<\/p>\n

The seven-time world champion finished second on the road at the United States Grand Prix last time out but was disqualified following a post-race inspection that found both the No.44 car and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc to have exceeded the maximum wear on their skid blocks.<\/p>\n

With two of the four cars checked proving to be in breach of the technical regulations, this has sparked a heated debate within the paddock with Hamilton calling to either allow teams to change their skid blocks on sprint weekends or for the FIA to investigate more cars.<\/p>\n

Speaking ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Hamilton told Sky Sports F1<\/em>: \u201cThe skid is not a performance element. Of course, if you have a flat surface everyone is going to be pushing their car to be as low as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cBut it’s mostly some cars handle the bumps better than others and you know we have had a very stiff and bumpy car for the last two years. But ultimately it failed the regulation and that needs to change.”<\/p>\n

However, Patrick disagreed with Hamilton\u2019s comments, suggesting that the 38-year-old was attempting to \u2018build a case\u2019 against the FIA. Leclerc, who was also disqualified as a result of his car\u2019s illegality, was more prepared to accept the ruling and move past it in his interview.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Charles probably handled it appropriately,\u201d Patrick replied when asked about the pair\u2019s comments. \u201dBecause there\u2019s nothing you can really do about making a change at this point in time. You were illegal and you\u2019re out of the race.<\/p>\n

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