Breaking: FIA confirm Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict after…..read more 

FIA confirm Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict after…..read more 

The FIA has concluded its investigation into a Free Practice 2 incident involving Lewis Hamilton and Alex Albon during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend. The incident occurred when Hamilton was found to have impeded Albon as the Williams driver began a flying lap. This moment sparked frustration from Albon, who immediately voiced his anger over team radio, describing Hamilton’s positioning on track as “dangerous.”

Albon’s reaction stemmed from having to make an evasive move to avoid Hamilton, who was ahead of him on the racing line at Turn 17. The incident drew the attention of the race stewards, who subsequently launched a formal review. Both drivers were summoned to provide their accounts of the situation.

After hearing from Hamilton and Albon, the stewards acknowledged that Hamilton had indeed impeded Albon unnecessarily during the session. According to the official report, the Mercedes driver was found to be in the way of Albon’s fast lap attempt, which resulted in an avoidable obstruction at a critical section of the track.

However, despite confirming the impeding, the stewards opted not to issue a penalty to Hamilton. The reason for this decision hinged on the context provided by Albon during the investigation. Albon explained that although he had initially been caught off guard by Hamilton’s presence at Turn 17, he had already noticed the Mercedes ahead at the prior corner. Moreover, Albon clarified that he was in full control of his car throughout the moment and, upon reflection, admitted that there was no real threat of a collision.

This admission played a crucial role in the stewards’ final ruling. While they maintained that Hamilton’s actions amounted to impeding, they determined that the incident did not reach the threshold of being dangerous. As such, Hamilton avoided any form of penalty or reprimand.

The FIA emphasized that while the obstruction was unnecessary, the lack of actual risk to safety and the absence of intent to disrupt Albon’s lap were key factors in the decision not to escalate the matter further. This resolution means Hamilton will not face any grid penalties or fines as a result of the FP2 incident.

In conclusion, although the situation sparked controversy during the session and led to an official review, the FIA has ultimately ruled in favor of leniency, highlighting the importance of context and driver feedback in determining whether an on-track moment warrants disciplinary action.