The strict F1 rule which prevented anyone helping Hamilton out of his car
Hamilton was in clear pain and he slowly emerged from his Mercedes W13 car having earlier complained “my back is killing me” over the team radio. He finished fourth in Baku.
The sight of the seven-time world champion left alone in such obvious distress was jarring but there is a reason why nobody helped him.
F1 regulations stipulate that a driver must not be touched in parc ferme by anybody, until he has been weighed.
This is to ensure there is no tampering with his eventual weight on the scales.
F1 cars must be a minimum weight of 798kg without fuel. That includes the driver’s minimum weight.
If the driver’s weight dips the overall weight of driver plus car beneath 798kg, ballasts must be added to the cockpit to ensure it hits the limit.
That is the reason Hamilton was not touched after the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix - despite his obvious discomfort.
Hamilton’s injury update
The Mercedes driver will take part in next week’s F1 Canadian Grand Prix, he confirmed, after Toto Wolff initially doubted his participation due to a spine injury.
“Yesterday was tough and had some trouble sleeping but have woken up feeling positive today,” Hamilton wrote on his Instagram account.
“Back is a little sore and bruised but nothing serious thankfully. I have had acupuncture and physio with Ang [Angela Cullen] and am on the way to my team to work with them on improving.
“We have to keep fighting. No time like the present to pull together and we will. I’ll be there this weekend, wouldn’t miss it for the world. Wishing everybody an amazing day and week.”
