I'm a bit dirty on Hamilton being craned out of the gravel last week though. I don't have the exact wording of the rule in question, but I believe it to be that: if you keep your motor running and are stranded in a dangerous position that you can receive assistance from the marshals who will push your car back on to the track so that you may remove the car from the dangerous position. It is the only time you are allowed to continue after receiving outside assistance AFAIK.
However, if the race was red flagged (a restart was imminent) I don't consider Hamilton to have been in a dangerous position at the time they removed his car via crane. I seem to recall many instances where a car was stranded in a risky spot but never craned out and allowed to continue. When Schumacher called for assistance once in the past he was beached on a ripple strip in a very dangerous spot under double waved yellows. The Marshals gave him a shove and away he went. I don't see much similarity to Hamilton's situation last week where he was craned out under red flag conditions.
I don't particularly like Hamilton's character, but I know an excellent driver when I see one, and he is all of that for sure.
He would be perhaps easier to like if Allen would stop ejaculating about him constantly.
J: "It's Hamilton! Hamilton is sitting in the car!"
M: Yes. Soon they will take the covers off the wheels and the formation lap will begin."
J: "Oh my God! Hamilton just put his helmet on! This is fantastic!"
M: "Indeed. The drivers rely on the helmet for head and eye protection. Helmets are mandatory in this type of sport".
J: "Hamilton's car is now moving! What a historical and emotional day for motor racing fans throughout the galaxy! Look how our Lewis shines on this, one of the toughest formation laps you'll ever see in Formula One! He's got Alonso right on his rear wing and two Ferraris right behind! What a true champion!"
M: "Hey James, n- no, put that thing away. Oh you're not! No please don't, can you at least turn away?!
J: "Lewis Hamilton, the young British driver who has stolen the hearts of every motor racing fan this side of Proxima Centauri, has just taken his spot on the grid!!!! Oh....oh this is fantastic!"
M: "Eeeeew" did you have to do that? Look what you've done to your Lewis Hamilton T-shirt"
J: "That's ok, I have six more just like it in my locker".