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Fresh woe for Hamilton as British star is punished over ignoring flags in India after unveiling Bob Marley helmet
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:16 PM on 28th October 2011
Lewis Hamilton's season suffered another setback when he was handed a three-place penalty on the grid for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix for ignoring yellow warning flags in practice.
The McLaren driver had set the fastest lap in the final seconds during the first ever session run at the Buddh International circuit.
The British star was sporting a special Bob Marley design on his racing helmet, which McLaren later explained on their Twitter feed.
New design: Lewis Hamilton sported a Bob Marley image on his helmet
'A few months ago, he was asked by the Marley family to sport the special design in India this weekend,' read the post.
'He's a big Bob Marley fan and was happy to follow their wishes. He'll also wear special commemorative helmets in Abu Dhabi and Brazil. Along with Jenson, he was one of the drivers leading the tributes to Dan Wheldon and, this weekend, he wears a black armband of remembrance.'
Hamilton was been penalised along with Sauber's Sergio Perez.
Both drivers have been hit hard after ignoring double waved yellow flags at the end of the opening practice session whilst Pastor Maldonado's Williams was being recovered following a spin.
Marshals were in close proximity to the track at the time Hamilton and Perez flashed past en route to setting their fastest laps in the first practice session.
Top dog: Lewis Hamilton impressed during first practice in India
HAsked as to what happened, Hamilton replied: 'Not much really. I engaged the DRS (drag reduction system) when there were yellow flags and you are not allowed to.'
Hamilton, confirming he did not lift off the throttle, simply said 'sure' when questioned as to whether the penalty was justified.
It was not until later in the interview that Hamilton opened up as he added: 'I went in there (to see the stewards) and I put my hands up. I said "I accept whatever penalty I get". That's what I said, and they gave me one.
'I don't really have any feelings towards the penalty. It is what it is. I'm a bit frustrated with myself. It's my fault - as usual. So I just have to do whatever I can from wherever I qualify tomorrow.'
Going somewhere? A stray dog wanders onto the track during practice
Hamilton, whose hot lap under the yellow flags was allowed to stand and put him on top of the timesheet after the first run, could only finish fourth in the afternoon session.
Remarkably, Ferrari's Felipe Massa finished out in front. Double world champion Sebastian Vettel had to settle for second in his Red Bull as F1 made an entertaining debut in India.
Massa, with his car sporting a new front wing as the team look to build for next year, set a lap of one minute 25.706secs, just 0.088secs ahead of Vettel.
Team-mate Fernando Alonso, who managed only four laps in the first session due to an engine issue, was third and a quarter of a second down, with Hamilton 0.748secs adrift.
Best of the rest: World champion Sebastian Vettel could only manage second
Proud moment: Indian driver Karun Chandhok samples his home track
Red Bull's Mark Webber and Jenson Button in his McLaren were fifth and sixth, the latter a second off the pace.
The day began with two mongrel dogs straying onto the circuit, the first 10 minutes prior to the start of the initial session, with marshals catching up with it down the pit straight.
The second was a more dangerous incident, coming five minutes after the session had started and as a handful of cars were completing their installation laps, bringing out the red flag.
Thankfully there was no repeat of an incident three years ago in a GP2 race in Turkey when Bruno Senna ran over a dog which had found its way onto the Istanbul track, killing it instantly.
Premature end: Fernando Alonso managed just four laps in practice
As a dusty, slippery circuit at first gathered grip, and as drivers pushed, there were a number of incidents.
It proved to be a bitterly frustrating day for Maldonado, who spun twice - beaching his car in the gravel early in the second session.
Fortunately for the Venezuelan he was able to return to the track later on after his car was recovered and returned to the garage for an overhaul, at least managing to avoid a third off.
The biggest shunt of the day involved Virgin's Jerome D'Ambrosio, bringing out the red flags for the second time and with the Belgian hardly helping his cause of acquiring a new contract by slamming into a barrier which removed the rear wing and right-rear wheel.
Flying the flag for India, Paul di Resta was ninth for Force India, finishing half a second down on team-mate Adrian Sutil.
related]
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/for...#ixzz1c5aWdwPY
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:16 PM on 28th October 2011
Lewis Hamilton's season suffered another setback when he was handed a three-place penalty on the grid for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix for ignoring yellow warning flags in practice.
The McLaren driver had set the fastest lap in the final seconds during the first ever session run at the Buddh International circuit.
The British star was sporting a special Bob Marley design on his racing helmet, which McLaren later explained on their Twitter feed.
New design: Lewis Hamilton sported a Bob Marley image on his helmet'A few months ago, he was asked by the Marley family to sport the special design in India this weekend,' read the post.
'He's a big Bob Marley fan and was happy to follow their wishes. He'll also wear special commemorative helmets in Abu Dhabi and Brazil. Along with Jenson, he was one of the drivers leading the tributes to Dan Wheldon and, this weekend, he wears a black armband of remembrance.'
Hamilton was been penalised along with Sauber's Sergio Perez.
Both drivers have been hit hard after ignoring double waved yellow flags at the end of the opening practice session whilst Pastor Maldonado's Williams was being recovered following a spin.
Marshals were in close proximity to the track at the time Hamilton and Perez flashed past en route to setting their fastest laps in the first practice session.
Top dog: Lewis Hamilton impressed during first practice in IndiaHAsked as to what happened, Hamilton replied: 'Not much really. I engaged the DRS (drag reduction system) when there were yellow flags and you are not allowed to.'
Hamilton, confirming he did not lift off the throttle, simply said 'sure' when questioned as to whether the penalty was justified.
It was not until later in the interview that Hamilton opened up as he added: 'I went in there (to see the stewards) and I put my hands up. I said "I accept whatever penalty I get". That's what I said, and they gave me one.
'I don't really have any feelings towards the penalty. It is what it is. I'm a bit frustrated with myself. It's my fault - as usual. So I just have to do whatever I can from wherever I qualify tomorrow.'
Going somewhere? A stray dog wanders onto the track during practiceHamilton, whose hot lap under the yellow flags was allowed to stand and put him on top of the timesheet after the first run, could only finish fourth in the afternoon session.
Remarkably, Ferrari's Felipe Massa finished out in front. Double world champion Sebastian Vettel had to settle for second in his Red Bull as F1 made an entertaining debut in India.
Massa, with his car sporting a new front wing as the team look to build for next year, set a lap of one minute 25.706secs, just 0.088secs ahead of Vettel.
Team-mate Fernando Alonso, who managed only four laps in the first session due to an engine issue, was third and a quarter of a second down, with Hamilton 0.748secs adrift.
Best of the rest: World champion Sebastian Vettel could only manage second Proud moment: Indian driver Karun Chandhok samples his home trackRed Bull's Mark Webber and Jenson Button in his McLaren were fifth and sixth, the latter a second off the pace.
The day began with two mongrel dogs straying onto the circuit, the first 10 minutes prior to the start of the initial session, with marshals catching up with it down the pit straight.
The second was a more dangerous incident, coming five minutes after the session had started and as a handful of cars were completing their installation laps, bringing out the red flag.
Thankfully there was no repeat of an incident three years ago in a GP2 race in Turkey when Bruno Senna ran over a dog which had found its way onto the Istanbul track, killing it instantly.
Premature end: Fernando Alonso managed just four laps in practice As a dusty, slippery circuit at first gathered grip, and as drivers pushed, there were a number of incidents.
It proved to be a bitterly frustrating day for Maldonado, who spun twice - beaching his car in the gravel early in the second session.
Fortunately for the Venezuelan he was able to return to the track later on after his car was recovered and returned to the garage for an overhaul, at least managing to avoid a third off.
The biggest shunt of the day involved Virgin's Jerome D'Ambrosio, bringing out the red flags for the second time and with the Belgian hardly helping his cause of acquiring a new contract by slamming into a barrier which removed the rear wing and right-rear wheel.
Flying the flag for India, Paul di Resta was ninth for Force India, finishing half a second down on team-mate Adrian Sutil.
related]
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/for...#ixzz1c5aWdwPY
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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