[F1] Despite Rivals’ Comments, Hamilton Says Test Ban Hurts
Ryan Joseph Ramos June 26, 2013
With the FIA International Tribunal dropping the hammer and banning the Mercedes F1 team from the 3-day young driver test in Silverstone, rival teams have questioned and mocked the fairly lenient decision. Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton, however, believes otherwise.
The Mercedes newcomer agreed with the sentiment of team principal Ross Brawn that being banned from the test is definitely going to hurt. Hamilton cited the various upgrades and other plans that the team had been looking forward to trying out during that testing period.
“That test is quite an important test for the year,” said Hamilton. “It’s the only test, really.”
Red Bull’s Christian Horner spoke out on the leniency of the punishment, and Ferrari mocked the judgment through its official F1 team website’s Horse Whisperer column.
Not being able to test in Silverstone is definitely a setback for the team, but fortunately, the extent of the punishment did not extend into the forfeiture of championship points or bans in other races in the 2013 F1 calendar. That’s just what other teams are expressing apprehension toward.
The team is now able to focus on the upcoming races, particularly the next two. The British Grand Prix is up next on June 30, and then a week later comes the German GP at the Nurburgring. Both are essentially home races for the Mercedes-Benz team.
