Breaking: Lewis Hamilton in despair as crash triggers chaos a…..read more
Lewis Hamilton in despair as crash triggers chaos a…..read more
Lewis Hamilton’s weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix got off to a rocky start as chaos unfolded during Friday’s practice sessions, marked by a red flag and a controversial on-track incident that drew the attention of race stewards.
The seven-time world champion struggled to find rhythm during the first two free practice sessions (FP1 and FP2) held under the bright lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The 40-year-old, now driving for Ferrari after a historic move from Mercedes, faced a particularly difficult time in FP2. He found himself in hot water following a near-miss with Alex Albon of Williams, an incident that quickly escalated into a formal investigation by the FIA stewards.
During the second practice session, Albon was forced to make a sudden evasive maneuver to avoid a collision with Hamilton, who was seen moving slowly on the racing line. The situation caught the attention of officials, and Hamilton was swiftly placed under review for potentially impeding the Williams driver. Albon, clearly frustrated, labeled the move as “dangerous,” which only added fuel to the growing scrutiny around Hamilton’s driving conduct during the session.
The stewards later announced that they would be conducting a post-session investigation into the matter. While the outcome of the inquiry was still pending by the end of FP2, it contributed to the growing tension surrounding Hamilton’s early performance in Jeddah.
As if the controversy wasn’t enough, further drama unfolded on track with just minutes remaining in the session. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda crashed heavily at the final corner, sending debris flying and prompting the session to be red-flagged. The impact brought the session to an abrupt halt, with marshals rushing to clear the shattered remains of Tsunoda’s car and ensure the safety of the track before allowing any further running.
There was uncertainty over whether the session would resume, given the limited time left and the cleanup required. However, after a brief pause, race control gave the green light for drivers to return to the circuit in the closing moments of the session. What followed was a chaotic scramble as the remaining eighteen drivers—eager to make the most of every second—poured onto the track in a last-ditch effort to gather data and complete flying laps.
The rushed resumption led to a messy conclusion to FP2. With so many cars on track at once and everyone attempting to find space for a clean lap, there were traffic issues, compromised runs, and visible frustration among the drivers. The incident with Hamilton and Albon added to the confusion, with several teams voicing concern over track discipline and safety protocols.
Hamilton, already under pressure to perform in his new Ferrari colors, appeared unsettled by the series of events. Though he remained composed in interviews, the visible frustration in the Ferrari garage painted a different picture. The British driver, who has had a legacy of bouncing back from adversity, will now be looking to regroup ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session.
The opening day in Saudi Arabia underscored just how unpredictable Formula 1 weekends can be. From potential penalties looming over one of the sport’s biggest stars to a dramatic crash triggering a red flag and a chaotic finish to FP2, it was a reminder that even in practice, drama is never far away.
As the teams prepare for qualifying, all eyes will be on how the stewards rule on the Hamilton-Albon incident and whether any penalties will be applied. For Hamilton, the focus will now shift to getting back on track—both literally and figuratively—as he aims to put the opening day’s setbacks behind him.
