The dispute between Lewis Hamilton and the International Automobile Federation is reminiscent of another frosty winter of speculation more than 30 years ago.
Radio silence. Since the controversial conclusion of the 2021 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton no longer appeared in public and did not post anything on his social networks. The only public news from the seven-time world champion: a photo posted on the occasion of his appointment to the rank of Knight of the British Empire.
Enough to fuel speculation about his future in Formula 1. In December, Toto Wolff (Mercedes-AMG team boss) confided that Lewis Hamilton had been “Disillusioned” by the way the race management handled the final laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Briton’s rival, Max Verstappen, was crowned world champion after a regulatory mess.
Senna at war with sports powers
An uncertainty that recalls another. During the offseason 1989-1990, Ayrton Senna left in doubt about leaving Formula 1. The Brazilian driver then accused the International Motor Sport Federation (FISA) of having manipulated the drivers’ world championship at the end of the previous campaign.
The bone of contention was the Japanese Grand Prix, contested on October 22, 1989. On the Suzuka circuit, the two rivals for the title, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, had clung to the 47e racing lap. The Brazilian had managed to regain the track by cutting a chicane. An action that had resulted his disqualification and offered the title to his French opponent.
=> Unseen images of the Prost – Senna hanging in Suzuka, in 1989
“I was criticized for everything, I was penalized for everything. I was treated like a criminal ”stormed the McLaren driver during a press conference. What had provoked the anger of Jean-Marie Balestre, astonishing boss of the International Motor Sport Federation (FISA). In Brazil, he even went so far as to drop the word “manipulation”.
Excuses…
Ayrton Senna and Ron Dennis, boss of the McLaren team, were summoned to the seat of the proceedings, accused of having “inflicted moral damage” on the institution. the world council refused to license the Brazilian for the 1990 season if he didn’t apologize.
The 1988 world champion took refuge in his property in Angra dos Reis (Brazil), only accepting calls from his boss. The McLaren team sent a request for entry for the world championship bearing the name of Jonathan Palmer, the team’s test pilot in place of Senna’s.
Shortly before the first Grand Prix of the 1990 season, FISA issued a statement citing (supposedly) the Brazilian driver: “No pressure from the FISA President influenced decisions about the 1989 World Championship”. The license was awarded to the Brazilian. And Ayrton Senna won the United States Grand Prix a few days later …
Photo : Grand Prix Photos / Icon Sport
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