Mercedes has played down a conspiracy theory relating to Sebastian Vettel's surprise win in Melbourne. The reigning champions are investigating how the virtual safety car period cost Lewis Hamilton the race victory.
One conspiracy theory is that it is no coincidence that it was the timing of the wheel problems suffered by Ferrari partner Haas that helped Ferrari's Vettel. Team boss Gunther Steiner told Bild newspaper: "We just didn't attach the wheels correctly. It's hard to believe that it happened to both cars, but it happened."
Mercedes bosses Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda did not jump aboard the Haas conspiracy talk. "I really feel for Haas," Wolff said. "They were really fast. I have no idea what happened, but when it happens it really hurts." Lauda agrees: "Haas will have to look at how it happened but I'm just sorry for them."
Haas boss Steiner admitted the mistakes could have been made due to the unfamiliar pressure on the shoulders of the mechanics. "The whole weekend was very stressful," he said. "We had some problems on Friday and lacked spare parts, and we did not practice the pitstops very actively. Perhaps this was one of the reasons." (GMM)
Haas was a very pleasant surprise, it was exciting to see them up there. I thought they would be overtaken by teams behind, but they actually gained places at the start! What a shame they didn't finish
Haas was a very pleasant surprise, it was exciting to see them up there. I thought they would be overtaken by teams behind, but they actually gained places at the start! What a shame they didn't finish
That is THE dumbest "conspiracy theory" I've heard in a long while. I read a few reactions yesterday where some fans were convinced it was a big master plan by Ferrari and HAAS.
Had this been at one of the final races of the season, then yeah, maybe there would be a slight chance of foul play.
However, we are talking about the first race of the season, HAAS being in the best position ever, and Romain parking in a spot where the car could be removed very quickly under normal circumstances - and Ferrari were in a spot they could live with in 2nd and 3rd place.
It is a mind numbingly stupid theory. It really is.
I don't think I ever seen such a big mistake, the guy on the wheel gun should be extradited to an Island on the moon, with no racing cars withing a 15 year time travel journey - what a muffin!
Its an interesting theory, but thats all it is, methinks. There is no way a team would sacrifice two high scoring cars just to appease a bigger team, even if that bigger team is Ferrari. Regardless, it was painful to watch Haas good results go up in smoke.
this conspiracy theory stinks of Sky Sports F1, just like sensationalism with Vettel's passing Hamilton in box while it was VSC period. They always find bone and run with it
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Haas was a very pleasant surprise, it was exciting to see them up there. I thought they would be overtaken by teams behind, but they actually gained places at the start! What a shame they didn't finish