Lauda: “The appeal against Verstappen was lost from the start”

Even though more than a week has passed, the duel involved continues to be discussed Hamilton and Verstappen during the Japanese GP. Many, including Mercedes, had criticized the Dutchman for his defence, which many defined as irregular.

The team had also thought about submitting an official protest to the race direction, only to then change their mind and let everything fall into the normal course of the race.

He recently returned to the matter Niki Lauda who commented again on Verstappen's change of direction when braking and the interpretation of this type of maneuver in the regulations.

“This rule – he told Auto Motor und Sport – could be interpreted in any way so it is useless. The two didn't even touch and nothing happened. Our appeal was lost before it was even submitted."

Lauda then somehow defended Verstappen's exuberance, guilty of having behaved much more aggressively in the past: “If I were him I would never have let Lewis pass on the penultimate lap. For me, his action in Suzuka was much less dangerous than his action in the Spa straight against Kimi."

Manuel Lai