(MENAFN- Gulf Times)
Monza: Lewis Hamilton said that the safety car finish at Sunday's Italian Grand Prix revived painful memories of the way he lost last season's Formula One championship.
Max Verstappen won his fifth race on the bounce at Monza to take his drivers' championship lead to 116 points but the final six laps were not contested after Daniel Ricciardo lost his engine and was left stranded at the side of the track.
It was Verstappen who snatched last year's title in Abu Dhabi when the race was restarted with one lap remaining and the Red Bull driver overtook Hamilton in a controversial climax.
“It always brings memories back. That is the rule that it should be, right?” Hamilton said to Sky Sport in Italy.“There's only one time in the history of the sport where they haven't done the rules like that today and that's the one where it changed the result of the championship. But it is what it is.”
In the Monza stands the massed ranks of Ferrari fans loudly voiced their disapproval when the cars came over the line.
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said that governing body FIA had“been asleep” as Ricciardo's car wasn't moved in time to allow Charles Leclerc a chance to chase down Verstappen.
Red Bull look beyond Porsche to
independent future in F1
Red Bull will be at no disadvantage to Formula One rivals without Porsche as a partner, team boss Christian Horner said after the announcement last week that talks with the German sportscar maker had ended. The two sides had been discussing joining forces for months but championship leaders Red Bull were determined to stay independent.
Horner told reporters at the Italian Grand Prix that leaked details of a deal suggested Porsche maybe“were slightly getting a little bit ahead of themselves” and no binding commitment was ever signed.“It was only natural to discuss and explore possibilities with them. In the end it wasn't the right deal for us strategically to benefit us on the journey we're on,” he added.“We are a race team fundamentally and that enables us to make quick decisions and react very quickly. I think we've seen on so many occasions manufacturers have been less autonomous in their decision-making.”
Red Bull have set up their own powertrains company at Milton Keynes in central England employing more than 300 people and with more recruits joining soon. The facility could ultimately provide power units for up to four teams, although initially only Red Bull and sister team AlphaTauri when new engine rules come in for 2026. The other engine makers are Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault, with Volkswagen-owned Audi joining from 2026.
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