Australian GP 2009 – Hamilton Trulli Incident
Trulli Off Track and Hamilton Passes Him

Published: 651 days ago

Category: Jarno Trulli, Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, Toyota

Description:

Trulli Receives Penalty For Passing Hamilton Later

This incident was one of the talking points of the Australian Grand Prix.

The cars are following the safety car which was brought out following the Kubica/Vettel incident.

Under safety car rules, overtaking is not allowed. But what about in this case? Trulli was off the track. Hamilton went past him.

There was then some confusion over what Hamilton should do. Stay ahead and risk a penalty, or drop back to 4th allowing Trulli  through.

Hamilton opted for the safe option and let Trulli through.

Trulli was also facing a dilemma. He wasn’t going to pass Hamilton, but Hamilton slowed so much that he had no option but to overtake him.

The upshot was. Trulli visited the podium in Melbourne claiming 3rd place, only to have it stripped from him a few hours later  by the race stewards.

But he didn’t just have to drop to 4th. He was given a 25second penalty dropping him to 12th and way out of the points.

Toyota intend to appeal the decision.

This ended a tough weekend for Toyota who showed great pace, but were also unlucky enough to have to start from the pit lane having been penalised after qualifying also for running flexible rear wings.