Some confusion surrounding the Turkish GP podium ceremony has yet to be answered until today. Why was Lewis Hamilton so sombre after winning the race?
The answer became clearer today when FOM released their Turkish GP review video – which they do a couple of days after every race.
It seems the McLaren team told Hamilton to save fuel, whilst his team-mate, just a handful of seconds behind, was ordered to do the same.
That meant the race would end as it was, Hamilton in P1, Button in P2 and Webber in P3 – after coming together with Sebastian Vettel relegated him from the lead.
Radio recordings show that Hamilton was reassured Button would stay behind the ’08 champion, however just minutes later the ’09 champion passed Hamilton into the penultimate corner, which led to Hamilton having to claim the place back into turn one.
Radio transcript:
McLaren: Lewis we need you to save fuel, both cars doing the same.
Lewis Hamilton: Jenson’s closing in on me you guys.
McLaren: Understood, Lewis.
Lewis Hamilton: If I back off is Jenson going to pass me or not?
McLaren: No Lewis… no.
It would seem Button saw Hamilton backing off and took the opportunity to claim an extra seven points, going against team orders to save fuel.
Whilst the team-mates looked sombre on the podium, they made up after and both admitted to enjoying the battle, despite the possible consequences as shown by Red Bull.
