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FIA Announces Punishment After Hamilton-Sainz Incident at Qatar Grand Prix

The FIA has delivered its verdict following an incident involving Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz during the Qatar Grand Prix qualifying session. This latest incident added to a challenging weekend for Hamilton, who has struggled throughout the event.

The seven-time world champion endured a frustrating series of setbacks in both sprint qualifying and the sprint race, where his Mercedes teammate George Russell outshone him. After these tough sessions, Hamilton expressed his frustration, admitting that he no longer felt fast and was eager for the season to come to an end.

The incident in question occurred during Saturday’s qualifying session when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was released unsafely from his pit box, directly into Hamilton’s path. To avoid a collision, Hamilton had to take swift evasive action, prompting the stewards to immediately investigate the situation. The FIA launched an inquiry into the unsafe release, and their findings ultimately led to a penalty for Ferrari.

According to the FIA, the issue stemmed from a slight delay during Sainz’s pit stop, as the Ferrari driver was not fully prepared to exit the box. The number one mechanic responsible for releasing Sainz prematurely signaled him to leave, creating the unsafe situation. In its official statement, the FIA explained: “The representative of Car 55 [Sainz] admitted that the Number 1 mechanic responsible for releasing Car 55, signaled the car to be released prior to the driver being ready. This resulted in a small delay which in turn resulted in the car being released into the path of Car 44 [Hamilton], requiring the driver of Car 44 to take avoiding action.”

As a result of the unsafe release, Ferrari was handed a €5,000 fine. While this fine is relatively minor, the incident adds pressure to Sainz, especially as the Spaniard prepares for a future team dynamic with Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari in 2025. The clash between the two drivers during this weekend’s events has certainly added intrigue to their potential working relationship in the coming seasons.

Despite the pitlane drama, Hamilton managed to qualify in P6 for Sunday’s race, positioning himself ahead of Sainz, who will start from P7 after Ferrari’s penalty. The results from the qualifying session set the stage for an intense battle between the two drivers, particularly with the added context of Hamilton’s future move to Ferrari.

For Hamilton, this weekend has been particularly tough. His comments about no longer feeling fast and his apparent desire for the season to end reflect his current struggles with the Mercedes car. Despite his continued effort to secure solid results, the veteran driver has faced challenges all season in matching the performances of his teammate and rivals.

However, even with these difficulties, Hamilton remains focused on finishing the 2024 season on a high note. He knows that his upcoming transition to Ferrari in 2025 presents a fresh start and a new set of challenges. The pitlane incident with Sainz may have highlighted the complexities that could arise when they become teammates, but for now, Hamilton’s sights are set on maximizing his final races with Mercedes before embarking on his next chapter.

The FIA’s decision to penalize Ferrari underscores the importance of safety in the high-pressure environment of Formula 1 pit stops. Unsafe releases can have serious consequences, and this incident serves as a reminder of the need for precision and coordination in the pitlane.

As the Qatar Grand Prix approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the on-track battle between Hamilton and Sainz. With both drivers keen to finish the race weekend strong, the competition between them is expected to be fierce. The outcome of Sunday’s race will not only affect their current standings but also add another layer of drama to their evolving rivalry as they prepare for their future as teammates at Ferrari.