Hamilton deserves to be disciplined - Stewart

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Triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart believes Lewis Hamilton is clearly to blame for last Sunday's Spanish GP fiasco with Nico Rosberg, adding that the defending world champion should be punished by Mercedes for what Stewart considered an ill-inspired first lap maneuver.

While the Barcelona stewards deemed the clash a 'racing incident', Stewart says impetuosity got the better of Hamilton, with dire consequences for both drivers and Mercedes.

"It was all emotion," Stewart said.

"First lap. Desperation. That’s not the way to win, not consistently. Hamilton is to blame. Rosberg is allowed to protect himself. You don’t go for it on the first lap.

"It’s just completely wrong. And then to throw the steering wheel out of the car. Probably £30,000-£40,000 of steering wheel.

"It’s difficult for them [Mercedes] to leave Lewis out for a race when they need to win the world championship. But there does need to be discipline."

Rather than an outright suspension or race ban, Stewart believes the only viable form of punishment for Hamilton is financial, although the impact would be relatively negligible given the British driver's huge 8-figure salary.

"I would certainly have penalised the driver who made that mistake on the first lap. It would have to be financial. But Lewis is making such a lot of money that it might not be a big penalty to him."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.