Breaking: FIA announce Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict after ‘dangerous…read more
FIA Clears Lewis Hamilton of Penalty After Saudi Grand Prix Practice Incident
Lewis Hamilton will not face any penalties following an investigation into a near-miss incident with Williams driver Alex Albon during the second free practice session (FP2) at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The FIA examined the situation after Albon reacted strongly over the radio, describing the moment as “dangerous” due to Hamilton’s positioning on track. However, after a detailed review, race stewards determined that while the Mercedes-turned-Ferrari driver did impede Albon, the offense didn’t meet the threshold for a penalty.
Close Call at Turn 17
The incident occurred at Turn 17 of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit — a high-speed and narrow part of the track known for testing driver reflexes. Albon was on a hot lap when he encountered Hamilton’s car on the racing line. Forced to react quickly, Albon swerved slightly to avoid contact, and his frustration was immediately clear via team radio. He labeled the maneuver as “dangerous” and questioned why Hamilton hadn’t moved out of the way.
Following the session, both drivers were summoned by the stewards to provide their accounts. Footage from various angles was reviewed, and while the stewards acknowledged that Hamilton had indeed hindered Albon’s flying lap, the decision was ultimately made not to issue a grid drop, time penalty, or even a formal reprimand.
FIA Justifies Decision
In their official report, the stewards stated:
> “While Car 44 [Hamilton] did impede Car 23 [Albon], the action did not meet the threshold for ‘dangerous driving.’ Car 23’s driver maintained control and adjusted accordingly, and upon review, all parties agreed that no immediate hazard was present at the time of the incident.”
According to the FIA, although Hamilton’s position on the track was not ideal, Albon managed the situation well and maintained full control of his car. In his testimony, Albon admitted he was aware of Hamilton’s presence and didn’t feel a collision was imminent. His calmer post-session comments reflected this view.
> “I did see Lewis ahead of me earlier, but I didn’t expect him to still be there when I came through Turn 17,” Albon said. “At the time, it caught me off guard, and my initial reaction on the radio probably reflected that. But in hindsight, there was no real danger. I had the situation under control.”
Mixed Reactions in the Paddock
The stewards’ verdict has stirred debate across the paddock. Some feel that any instance of impeding — regardless of the outcome — should be penalized to maintain consistency and fairness. Others support the decision, arguing that unnecessary penalties can disrupt the flow of practice sessions, especially when no harm is done.
Hamilton Under Pressure at Ferrari
This controversy comes amid a challenging start to the season for Hamilton, who is still adapting to life at Ferrari. With just 25 points from four races, the seven-time world champion is yet to fully find his form in red. Adding to the pressure, former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz — whom Hamilton replaced — had earlier warned Hamilton about positioning on track during practice, although that exchange wasn’t escalated.
As the weekend continues, Hamilton will look to silence critics and build momentum in Jeddah. The narrow, unforgiving circuit demands precision, and with the FIA giving him a pass, he now has the chance to refocus on performance and potentially climb up the standings.
Meanwhile, Albon and the Williams team are ready to move on, putting their energy into maximizing the car’s pace heading into qualifying and race day.
