However, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh defended his driver, claiming
Hamilton’s decision was perfectly legitimate.
“Racing drivers race,” he said. “He was quicker, he overtook
and he pulled away, so I’m not sure what stupidity there is in that.”
McLaren’s sporting director, Sam Michael, agreed and dismissed Vettel’s
argument that it had affected his race.
“He (Hamilton) came out and he was fast,” he said. “We said to
him that you’ve got blue flags for Jenson.
“When you get a blue flag, you have two choices. You let the car past, or
you speed up significantly.
“So we told him to speed up significantly and overtake Vettel and he did
so. He didn’t hold Vettel up at all because Vettel couldn’t keep up with
him. So it didn’t have any material impact on Vettel’s race and it’s
completely legal.”
Vettel
was later hit with a 20-second penalty by the FIA for his move on
Button, which dropped him to fifth place behind Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber
and promoted the Briton to second.
Michael added that he agreed with the stewards’ decision as Vettel had made no
attempt to stay on the track.
“The stewards decided in Jenson’s favour because Vettel left the track
and gained an advantage,” he explained.
“Without leaving the track, he would not have been able to complete the
manoeuvre and the stewards thought the same thing. That’s why they gave him
the penalty.”