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Lewis Hamilton 'embarrasses' F1 CEO with important request over Brazil qualifying postponement


Lewis Hamilton 'embarrasses' F1 CEO with important request over Brazil qualifying postponement

During his interview at Interlagos, Lewis Hamilton approached Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali about wanting to hit the track in wet conditions.

Due to heavy rain, qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Saturday was postponed as the track was deemed unsafe despite marshals' best efforts to clear the standing water around Interlagos.

Lewis Hamilton takes the F1 CEO to task after the postponement of GP qualifying in Brazil

Domenicali was interviewed by F1 TV presenter Will Buxton outside Mercedes' garage shortly after it was confirmed the session had been postponed, with alternative arrangements made to allow qualifying to take place before the race.

At that moment, seven-time world champion Hamilton approached Domenicali and greeted him with a smile and a handshake. He briefly interrupted his interview to say that he wanted to take part in qualifying.

Hamilton said: “They should have sent us out. This is ridiculous, we should get out! I want to go out.”

Domenicali smiled and replied: “Me too”, before Hamilton replied: “Give us better rain tires with covers, we could drive with that – I'll embarrass you!”

He signed off with a laugh and a hug with Formula 1's president and CEO, but with alternative plans in the works and Hamilton famously winning his first world championship in Brazil in the rain, he has history at Interlagos in difficult conditions.

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The Mercedes driver was also due to drive the 1990 McLaren MP4/5B driven by childhood hero Ayrton Senna after the day's race, but the delay and subsequent postponement of qualifying had already resulted in the schedule for this planned demonstration run being postponed Saturday was exceeded.

The FIA ​​explained the decision to postpone qualifying as follows: “The decision was made due to the lack of visibility caused by the heavy rain we have experienced in the last few hours. There is a lot of water on parts of the racetrack, making the conditions unsafe.

“As much as we all want competition to take place on the track, the safety of drivers, team members, volunteers, officials and spectators is our top priority.”

After Hamilton's heckling, Domenicali added that a Sunday morning session was likely, declaring: “Yes, that is the plan now.”

“The FIA ​​is conducting a final check on what might be the right time to organize qualifying and implement the plan at the end of the day.

“As you know, it’s a great event and we obviously have to make sure we can maximize everything under all acceptable conditions.”

Read more: Qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix has been postponed as Interlagos is hit by rainy weather

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