Hamilton got disqualified for lying to the stewards.
During the initial phases of his career, Lewis Hamilton did not always adhere to the highest standards of conduct. In 2009, he was compelled by his team to deceive, a transgression that resulted in his exposure and subsequent disqualification.
Before the Indianapolis debacle in 2005, which tarnished F1’s image in the US, there was the controversial opening race of the 2009 season. This race marked the debut of Brawn GP, securing an astonishing one-two finish with Jenson Button, setting the stage for his title-winning campaign. The introduction of new major aerodynamic rules had simplified cars, and Brawn’s double-diffuser stole the headlines, sparking an ongoing debate about its legality.
Ferrari and McLaren struggled with the new rules, having invested heavily in the 2008 season. However, in this race, Lewis Hamilton, the reigning World Champion, finished third, overtaking Jarno Trulli’s Toyota under a late Safety Car. What unfolded next led to ‘Lie-gate,’ resulting in Hamilton’s disqualification and a McLaren employee’s dismissal.
Following a crash involving Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica, the Safety Car entered the track with Trulli in third and Hamilton in fourth. McLaren instructed Hamilton to let the Toyota back past, and he did so while the Safety Car was still on the track. McLaren, backed by Hamilton and team manager Dave Ryan, claimed no such instructions were given over the radio. However, a subsequent interview in Malaysia contradicted this, revealing that Hamilton had lied to the stewards. He was disqualified from the Australian GP, and McLaren faced a suspended ban from the FIA.
Dave Ryan was dismissed for misleading the stewards, and a remorseful Hamilton admitted the incident almost led him to consider quitting F1. The aftermath was challenging, with Hamilton grappling with the consequences and negative energy. However, the support and respect he received from others ultimately strengthened him, reaffirming his love for the sport and his commitment to racing with integrity.
