BREAKING : Lewis Hamilton Cleared by FIA After Singapore Grand Prix Investigation… Read more
Lewis Hamilton Cleared by FIA After Singapore Grand Prix Investigation
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has avoided a penalty following an investigation by the FIA stewards at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he was accused of failing to slow sufficiently during red flag conditions in Free Practice 3 (FP3).
The incident unfolded when Liam Lawson crashed during the session, forcing the race control to display a red flag — a signal requiring all drivers to drastically reduce their speed and return to the pits safely. Hamilton, however, was spotted traveling at a relatively high speed during the caution period, prompting the stewards to summon him for a post-session review.
According to the official FIA report, data revealed that Hamilton had exceeded the minimum delta time in the red flag sector, meaning he was faster than what is usually permitted under such conditions. Nonetheless, after reviewing telemetry data and Hamilton’s onboard footage, the stewards concluded that the British driver had maintained full control of his car and did not endanger himself, other drivers, or track personnel.
“The stewards determined that while a greater reduction of speed would have been desirable, Hamilton’s actions did not constitute a breach of the sporting regulations,” the statement read. Consequently, the Mercedes driver escaped any form of disciplinary action, including what could have been a grid penalty for Sunday’s race.
The verdict came as a relief to both Hamilton and his team, who were facing the possibility of another setback in what has been a turbulent debut season with Ferrari. Speaking on Sky Sports F1, fellow Brit and former world champion Jenson Button praised the decision, saying:
> “That’s great news. Nobody wants to see a driver get penalised for something that didn’t really compromise safety. It’s the right call by the stewards.”
Hamilton’s narrow escape comes just a few weeks after he received a five-place grid penalty at the Italian Grand Prix. That punishment was handed down for failing to slow sufficiently under double yellow flags during qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix. Although he lifted off the throttle and braked earlier than usual, the stewards ruled that he had not slowed “significantly” enough to meet the regulations. Originally facing a 10-place drop, Hamilton’s efforts to show compliance earned him a reduced penalty of five places.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Singapore weekend has been far from incident-free. The team were also penalised after Charles Leclerc was released unsafely from the garage during Free Practice 2 (FP2), resulting in minor contact with Lando Norris’ McLaren. Although the incident caused no significant damage, it was deemed a breach of the unsafe release rule.
As a result, the FIA fined Ferrari €10,000, but no further sporting penalty was imposed on Leclerc, allowing him to continue the weekend unaffected in terms of race position.
The stewards’ decision regarding Hamilton is likely to be viewed as a fair and balanced interpretation of the regulations, prioritising safety without being overly punitive. With no further action taken, Hamilton will line up for qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix without any penalty hanging over him, giving Ferrari a much-needed boost as they look to improve on their recent performances.
Hamilton’s exoneration adds a note of relief for the British star, who remains determined to end the season on a high despite a challenging year marked by team adjustments and fluctuating form.
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