FIA announce punishment decision after Hamilton incident at Qatar

FIA announce punishment decision after Hamilton incident at Qatar Grand Prix….. read more

The FIA has announced a penalty following an incident involving Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz at the Qatar Grand Prix, leading to a €5,000 fine for Ferrari. The incident occurred during qualifying when Sainz was released from his pit box into the path of Hamilton, requiring the seven-time world champion to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

Hamilton, who has had a difficult weekend at the Qatar GP, expressed frustration over his performance in the lead-up to the incident. Despite his history of dominance, Hamilton has struggled in recent sessions, including being outpaced by his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, during sprint qualifying and the sprint race. After these sessions, Hamilton admitted that he felt his speed was lacking, remarking that he was “not fast anymore” and that he was ready to be done with the season.

The incident between Hamilton and Sainz occurred during qualifying when the Ferrari driver was delayed in the pits. This delay resulted in Sainz being released into the path of Hamilton as he was exiting the pit lane. The stewards found that the delay was caused by the Ferrari team’s premature signal to release the car before Sainz was properly ready, which led to the unsafe release into Hamilton’s path.

According to the FIA’s official statement, the issue was caused by the number 1 mechanic in charge of releasing the car signaling for the release before Sainz was prepared to go. This premature release resulted in a small delay, which, in turn, meant that Sainz was sent into the path of Hamilton, forcing the Mercedes driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision. The FIA deemed the release unsafe and imposed a fine on Ferrari for the error, with the fine set at €5,000.

The penalty was issued after the FIA investigated the incident, and the stewards concluded that Ferrari’s actions had put both drivers at risk. Although there was no physical contact between the two drivers, the incident could have led to a serious collision, and the FIA took action to ensure such errors are penalized.

Following the incident, both Hamilton and Sainz continued their performances throughout qualifying. Despite the drama, Hamilton managed to qualify in sixth position for the Sunday race, while Sainz, who had a more challenging session, qualified just behind him in seventh place. The results of qualifying were mixed for the two drivers, but the incident served as an additional complication in what has already been a frustrating weekend for Hamilton.

The penalty highlights the importance of safety protocols in Formula 1, particularly during pit stops, where even small errors can have significant consequences. In this case, Ferrari’s premature release of Sainz was deemed unsafe, and the fine was a reminder of the critical role that precision and timing play in the fast-paced world of Formula 1.

For Hamilton, this latest incident adds to what has been a disappointing period in his career. Although he remains one of the most accomplished drivers in F1 history, the 39-year-old has faced mounting challenges this season, including his struggles with pace and performance. Hamilton’s comments after the sprint qualifying and sprint race reflected his frustration, with the driver admitting that his confidence had taken a hit and that he felt disconnected from his usual level of competitiveness.

In contrast, Sainz, who will be joining Ferrari’s main driver lineup next season, also faced challenges during the weekend. Despite being involved in the pit lane incident with Hamilton, the Spanish driver’s performance remains strong overall, as he aims to end the season on a high note with Ferrari. However, the penalty and the circumstances around the incident are a reminder of the high-pressure environment in which drivers and teams operate during a race weekend.

In the aftermath of the qualifying sessions and the penalty announcement, both drivers will now focus on Sunday’s race. Hamilton will be hoping to bounce back from his disappointing performance so far, while Sainz will be looking to recover from the mistake that led to the fine. The Qatar Grand Prix promises to be a crucial race for both drivers, with significant implications for their standings in the championship and their teams’ overall performance as the season winds down.