Had precedent been allowed to determine what is a legitimate and non-legitimate manoeuvre during the course of the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, then Charles Leclerc and Team Ferrari would have been declared the Winner.
Undoubtedly so, if that had been the case. However, it was not to be.
As the FIA, taking heed of some of the drivers increasing disquiet about its attempts to maintain we could call the 'queensbury rule' equivalent of Formula 1, capitulated to the clamour of some of the teams and the drivers.
The stewards who were called upon to determine whether Max Verstappen had fairly or unfairly barged Charles Leclerc off the circuit in his attempt to overtake him as a corner, decided to give Max the benefit of any doubt.
In some respects, the manoeuvre had similarities with Sebastian' manoeuvre against Lewis Hamilton, at the Canadian Grand Prix.
With probably the two main differences being that, although Seb cut across the grass to stay in front of Hamilton, he did not make contact with Hamilton.
He could have, but he did not, partly because Hamilton had eased up to avoid the impending collision. In Max's case, he remained on the circuit throughout the manoeuvre, and used his car to barge Leclerc off it.
Which is the second important difference between the 2 incidents.
Max Verstappen had undoubtedly driven a spectacular and 'deserved to win' race.
To be continued!
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