Mat Coch writes:

While Lewis Hamilton said he was "shocked" to see Mark Webber hitching a ride back to the pits with Fernando Alonso following yesterday's Singapore Grand Prix, he also labelled the gesture "cool."

Webber was forced out of the race on the final lap when his Renault engine caught fire. The team had noticed a water leak with twelve laps remaining and asked the Australian to short-shift to help preserve the engine for the final few laps. It finally cried enough a third of the way around the final lap, leaving Webber stranded out on track.

Having climbed from his Red Bull security footage broadcast to the media showed Webber jogging down the escape road as cars returned to the pits at the end of the race. The two-time Monaco winner then flagged down Fernando Alonso and climbed aboard the Ferrari in what many considered a fine sporting gesture.

Nico Rosberg passed the Ferrari to the left just metres away from Webber as he climbed on to the car while moments later Lewis Hamilton was forced over the kerb to avoid the world's fastest taxi.

"I went to the right of him," Hamilton said after the race. "I was doing my in-lap, came around the corner and Fernando was there. I was really shocked.

"If Mark had been walking across where I went then I would have run him over," he added. "Fortunately that wasn't the case."

Alonso and Webber were subsequently handed reprimands for the incident, Weber's third of the year meaning he will take a 10-place grid penalty for the Korean Grand Prix in two weeks' time.

Coupled with the less than warm reception for Sebastian Vettel on the podium it left a sour taste in the mouth of many on a day where sporting gestures were punished rather than applauded.

Although shocked, Hamilton approved of Alonso's decision to stop to pick up his mate. "It's cool," he said. "There have been times where I've driven past someone else who has stopped and wished I'd stopped.

"It's good for the fans to see and, as long as it's done in a safe manner – you don't stop on the racing line – then maybe it should be allowed."

Christian Horner agreed. "One of the most iconic images I can remember is of Nigel Mansell giving Ayrton Senna a lift home at Silverstone in 1991.

"On this occasion it was good for the show, it was good TV," he added. "What's a shame is that it's ended up in a reprimand."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by jo6pac, 24/09/2013 15:44

"1. Posted by fpf, 20 hours ago

Thanks

Thanks Pit Pass for getting the vid fixed and does look dangerous but made for great TV"

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2. Posted by fpf, 23/09/2013 19:22

"To jo6pac : Mexican GP 1986, footage courtesy of Brazilian tv ( portuguese comments ). Piquet ( Williams ) gives a ride to Johansson ( Ferrari) Arnoux and Alliot ( Ligier )."

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3. Posted by blackdog, 23/09/2013 18:58

"Looks like a severe bollocking was well in order.
Alonso should not have stopped where he did, in the middle of the corner and ON the racing line. Mark was very fortunate not to get knocked down. If Alonso had pulled over to the side of the track and picked Mark up the two following Mercs would not have been a risk. I agree that it's great to see drivers stopping and giving a lift to others at the end of the race, but two VERY experienced drivers should know better."

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4. Posted by jo6pac, 23/09/2013 14:25

"Will the first clip has been removed by those at F-1 thanks guys, greed. I need some help with second clip who and where did this happen. Thanks in advance"

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5. Posted by Paul RB, 23/09/2013 10:16

"It's a pity that this had to end in a reprimand as I'm sure Alonso's gesture will be seen by all as positive. Mind you, having seen this footage, it does look a bit near the mark (no pun intended!) While it was the slowing down lap the location was immediately after a turn - magine the consequences of either of the Merc drivers being slightly distracted in a "race over" mindset. "

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Hamilton labels Alonsocabs "cool"

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