NIKI LAUDA has described the decision that robbed Lewis Hamilton of victory in the Belgian Grand Prix as being “the worst judgment in the history of F1”.
The three-time world champion driver said the sport was close to losing its integrity after Hamilton had been hit with a retrospective 25-second drive-through penalty for 'cutting a corner and gaining an advantage'.
"I do not understand this completely wrong decision," said Lauda.
Hamilton had attempted to overtake Kimi Raikkonen at the Bus Stop chicane at the end of lap 42 of the Spa Francorchamps circuit, but ended up using the run off area to avoid a collision.
Lauda said: "Lewis had an advantage, but then he let him [Raikkonen] go by, then he simply out-braked him into the corner.
"There was no slipstreaming involved, nothing.
"If Lewis had stayed behind Kimi through the chicane, he would have passed him in front of the pits, because Lewis and the McLaren, at that time in the race in the wet, were so much quicker.
"So I do not understand this decision, and it's really bad for the sport because people watching will not watch any more because of this stupid decision."
Lauda, 59, also said that he could understand accusations that Ferrari were being shown favouritism by officials.
"In the past, there have always been rumours and stories," said Lauda. "I've always been completely against them because they've never been proven - that Ferrari, because of its past and history, was always against McLaren with the stewards and the FIA, who if there was a decision, were in favour of Ferrari."
"I've always said this is bulls**t, that this is a sport and you have to be neutral.
"But the decision yesterday makes me believe that everyone is watching Ferrari in a positive way and McLaren in a very negative way.
"What developed yesterday is the biggest mess the sport has ever done.
"It's unbelievable how the best driver in yesterday's race makes no mistakes and only gets six points.
“This is the worst judgment in the history of F1, the most perverted judgment I have ever seen.”
McLaren have registered their intention to appeal.
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