Breaking: FIA Announce Lewis Hamilton Penalty Verdict after Max Verstappen Inc…read more
FIA Issues Grid Penalty to Lewis Hamilton After Verstappen Incident in Monaco Qualifying
The FIA has officially handed Lewis Hamilton a three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen during Q1 of the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying session.
The incident occurred as Verstappen was on a hot lap heading up the hill into Turn 3, only to find Hamilton’s Ferrari in his path. The Red Bull driver had to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Both drivers were called to the stewards post-session to review the matter.
Hamilton, visibly annoyed at the time, blamed a miscommunication with his race engineer Riccardo Adami, who had mistakenly informed him that Verstappen was on a slow lap. Verstappen, though frustrated initially, later appeared understanding, and the two drivers were seen calmly discussing the matter after qualifying, where they placed fourth and fifth respectively.
Despite Verstappen’s session not being compromised, the FIA ruled that Hamilton’s positioning on track did warrant a penalty. In their statement, the stewards confirmed that Hamilton accepted the team’s error during the hearing but emphasized that incorrect team information did not excuse the infraction.
“The driver of car 44 (Hamilton) expressed his displeasure at the incorrect message from the team immediately after the incident. During the hearing, the fact of the team’s incorrect message leading to the incident was accepted by the driver,” the FIA noted.
“As in previous cases where a driver has impeded another due to inaccurate or incomplete team messages, the message is not considered a mitigating factor. Therefore, we are applying the standard penalty of a three-place grid drop.”
Hamilton will now start the race from seventh instead of fourth, giving Verstappen a slight advantage on the grid.
Although their fierce rivalry peaked during the 2021 title battle, the relationship between Hamilton and Verstappen has matured, as evidenced by their composed exchange post-qualifying. The penalty adds an extra layer of intrigue to Sunday’s race in Monaco, where track position is often key to victory.
