FIA announce Hamilton and Norris penalty VERDICT at Abu Dhabi

FIA announce Hamilton and Norris penalty VERDICT at Abu Dhabi Grand…….read more

The 2024 Formula 1 season has been a challenging one for Lewis Hamilton, who finds himself in the midst of his final race with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion is preparing to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari in 2025, hoping to secure a long-awaited eighth world title. However, his performance this season has been less than stellar, with Hamilton sitting in seventh place in the drivers’ championship, behind his teammate, George Russell. The gap in their qualifying performances has also been significant, with Russell outqualifying Hamilton in 18 of the 23 races thus far.

Despite this, Hamilton has managed to score two victories during the season, which have somewhat alleviated the disappointment. Now, as the curtain falls on his time at Mercedes, he is hoping to finish on a high at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. His performance during the Friday practice sessions had given him some optimism for a strong result in the race, but his plans were momentarily threatened by an investigation from the FIA.

The investigation came after an incident during the first free practice session (FP1), involving Hamilton and Lando Norris. Hamilton was under scrutiny for allegedly impeding Norris at Turn 16, forcing the McLaren driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision. This situation could have derailed Hamilton’s efforts to finish his Mercedes career on a positive note.

As a result, Hamilton was summoned by the stewards to discuss the incident. He was accompanied by Norris, and both drivers provided their accounts of what had transpired. The stewards, after reviewing all available evidence—including video footage, team radio, and in-car footage—conducted a thorough investigation into the matter.

According to the official statement from the FIA, the incident unfolded when Hamilton was driving slowly on the left side of the track, which happens to be the racing line for Turn 16. At the same time, another car was entering the pit lane, which occupied the right side of the track. Norris, who was approaching the turn at high speed, found himself in a situation where Hamilton’s car was positioned on the racing line, thus obstructing his path.

However, the stewards found that there was still an opportunity for Norris to overtake Hamilton on the inside line. The McLaren driver chose not to do so, apparently unsure whether Hamilton would close the gap and begin his flying lap. Norris’s decision to avoid making the overtaking move contributed to the situation, and the stewards concluded that the incident was the result of a misunderstanding between the two drivers, rather than an intentional or unnecessary impeding maneuver.

In light of this, the stewards determined that Hamilton would not face any further action. The official statement clarified that the incident did not meet the threshold for being classified as unnecessary impeding during free practice. While Hamilton’s actions in occupying the racing line did affect Norris’s ability to complete a clean lap, the situation was seen as a result of the circumstances on the track, rather than any deliberate obstruction.

This verdict from the stewards allowed Hamilton to avoid any penalties, ensuring that his focus remained on his performance in the race weekend. With his final race for Mercedes underway, Hamilton will be eager to put any distractions behind him and concentrate on securing a strong finish in Abu Dhabi. As he prepares to embark on a new chapter with Ferrari, Hamilton is determined to end his long and successful association with Mercedes on a positive note, even if the 2024 season has not been the fairytale finale many had hoped for.

For Norris, the incident in FP1 was just another challenge in a season where McLaren has shown notable improvements, but the team still faces stiff competition from others on the grid. Despite not receiving a penalty in this case, Norris will no doubt remain focused on his performance in the final race of the season as he looks ahead to what promises to be an exciting 2025 season with McLaren.

Ultimately, the FIA’s decision not to penalize Hamilton for the FP1 incident allowed the focus to return to the racing action, and as the 2024 season wraps up, Hamilton’s attention is now on making the most of his final moments with Mercedes. With a promising future at Ferrari ahead, Hamilton will be hoping that his last race for Mercedes ends on a high note, even as he prepares to make the switch to a new chapter in his illustrious Formula 1 career.