Helmut Marko Raises Eyebrows: Questions Hamilton’s 2020 British GP No-Penalty Verdict Amidst Perez’s Spanish GP Grid Drop

Helmut Marko Finds it Odd That Lewis Hamilton Wasn't Penalized at the 2020 British Grand Prix

Helmut Marko is puzzled over how Lewis Hamilton managed to escape a penalty during his 2020 British Grand Prix victory despite finishing with a punctured tire.

Helmut Marko, advisor for Red Bull's racing team, has expressed doubts about the rationale behind issuing a three-place grid penalty to Sergio Perez for the next Formula 1 race in Spain.

Perez is set to face a grid penalty at the Barcelona event due to his decision to drive his significantly damaged Red Bull back to the pit lane following a late collision during the chaotic and rain-soaked Canadian Grand Prix last weekend.

Red Bull incurred a €25,000 penalty after acknowledging that they instructed Perez to return to the pits on his own to prevent a Safety Car phase while his teammate Max Verstappen was in the lead.

In his recent Speedweek column, Marko reflected on Lewis Hamilton's victory at the 2020 British Grand Prix, where he crossed the finish line with only three functioning wheels due to a last-minute tire blowout. He pondered why the Mercedes racer faced no consequences for this incident.

"Perez will start three positions lower on the grid in Spain as he opted to bring his damaged vehicle into the pit lane rather than retiring it off-track in Montreal," stated the 82-year-old Austrian.

"I believe that penalty is excessively severe, given that in a race experiencing changing conditions, it's imperative to return your car, particularly when the extent of the damage isn't instantly apparent."

Perez was unable to view the back due to his mirrors being covered in dirt, while our analysis of the data showed that the suspension was in good condition.

Naturally, our aim is to return the car to the track and, in a perfect scenario, compete for points once more. Subsequently, the race officials declared that components of his vehicle had detached.

"I recall a moment when Lewis Hamilton astonishingly won a race at Silverstone despite crossing the finish line with only three wheels intact. Oddly, he wasn't penalized for that."

Verstappen secured his sixth win of the season in Montreal, further solidifying his lead in the world championship standings.

"Triumph in Montreal, attributed to what I refer to as the Verstappen effect," Marko stated. "Max Verstappen's unique abilities once again played a pivotal role in securing a win in a race that likely would have eluded most other drivers."

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