BREAKING: FIA Issues Lewis Hamilton Penalty Following Saudi A

FIA Issues Lewis Hamilton Penalty Following Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Incident

By Hugo Harvey

In a major development following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the FIA has handed Lewis Hamilton a formal penalty for what officials have labeled a “dangerous incident” during the high-octane Formula 1 event held in Jeddah. The ruling follows intense scrutiny over Hamilton’s on-track actions that drew criticism and raised safety concerns across the F1 paddock.

The seven-time world champion, who now drives for Ferrari following his sensational switch from Mercedes, found himself at the center of controversy after a maneuver that stewards described as “aggressive and lacking spatial awareness.” The incident occurred during a critical phase of the race, with Hamilton engaging in a tight battle with Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez, who was attempting to reclaim track position.

Hamilton was adjudged to have made an unsafe defensive move on lap 29, squeezing Pérez towards the wall on the fast, narrow streets of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Though no contact was ultimately made, the move forced Pérez to take evasive action and raised questions over Hamilton’s judgment and the risk it posed not just to his fellow competitor but to the race overall.

The FIA, after reviewing video footage and onboard telemetry, ruled that Hamilton breached Article 33.4 of the Sporting Regulations, which pertains to unsafe driving conduct. The decision was met with a mix of reactions within the F1 community, with some defending the Briton’s competitive instincts, while others criticized what they called a lapse in discipline.

As a result of the ruling, Hamilton was handed a five-second time penalty and had two penalty points added to his super licence. While the time penalty did not significantly alter his final position—Hamilton crossed the line in P5 and retained that place following the adjustment—it nonetheless serves as a warning from the sport’s governing body as the season continues to heat up.

Speaking after the race, Hamilton appeared calm and unfazed by the controversy, stating, “I’m always racing hard, and I believe what happened was part of a fair fight. But of course, I respect the FIA’s decision and will look at the data to understand what could’ve been done better.”

The incident has also reignited debates around overtaking and defensive etiquette in modern Formula 1, particularly at circuits like Jeddah where the high-speed layout and narrow design leave little margin for error. Some former drivers, including 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, have suggested that more clarity is needed in the regulations to ensure consistent stewarding.

Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur commented, “We stand by Lewis and his approach to racing. The move was firm, yes, but not malicious. We will of course respect the stewards’ judgment and work with Lewis to ensure everything aligns moving forward.”

With the next round of the championship taking place in Melbourne, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari as they seek to continue their strong start to the season despite the Saudi setback. The 2025 campaign is already proving to be a dramatic one, with the FIA showing early on that it won’t hesitate to take decisive action to maintain safety and discipline on track.

As Formula 1 continues to push the limits of speed and competition, the incident in Jeddah serves as a timely reminder that even the sport’s biggest names are not above the rulebook.