FIA announce punishment decision after Hamilton incident at

FIA announce punishment decision after Hamilton incident at Qatar Grand Prix……read more

The FIA has announced a punishment after an incident involving Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz during the Qatar Grand Prix. Hamilton has been facing a challenging weekend at the Qatar GP, having struggled to keep up with his Mercedes teammate George Russell in both sprint qualifying and the sprint race. Following these sessions, the seven-time world champion voiced his frustration, admitting that he no longer feels as fast as before and expressing a sense of resignation about the season. Hamilton will be participating in his final two Grands Prix with Mercedes at Qatar and Abu Dhabi, after which he will join Ferrari for the 2025 season.

During the Qatar GP qualifying, Hamilton and Sainz were involved in a pit lane incident. While both drivers were in the pits, Sainz was released in an unsafe manner by the Ferrari team. The release occurred when Sainz was not yet fully ready to leave the box, causing a small delay. This delay led to the Ferrari car being released directly into the path of Hamilton’s car. As a result, Hamilton was forced to take evasive action to avoid a potential collision, which sparked the investigation by race stewards.

The stewards reviewed the incident and concluded that the release of Sainz’s car was unsafe, as it occurred when the driver was not fully prepared to exit. The investigation found that the delay in releasing the Ferrari car was caused by a signal from the team’s Number 1 mechanic, who instructed Sainz to leave before the driver was ready. This mishap in the pit lane resulted in the Ferrari being positioned in Hamilton’s path, requiring him to make quick maneuvers to avoid contact.

Following this assessment, the FIA decided to impose a fine on Ferrari for the unsafe release. The team has been handed a €5,000 fine for the mistake, which occurred during a crucial moment in qualifying. While this fine is relatively small in the context of the sport, it serves as a reminder of the importance of precise coordination in the pits, particularly during high-pressure moments in qualifying and race sessions.

This incident has added to what has already been a frustrating weekend for Hamilton. In both sprint qualifying and the sprint race, Hamilton was outpaced by his younger teammate, George Russell, who has shown impressive form throughout the weekend. Hamilton, who has already expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, seemed downcast after both sessions, admitting that he no longer feels as competitive as he once did. This has led to speculation about his future with Mercedes, as he prepares for his transition to Ferrari in 2025.

Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season marks a significant shift in the Formula 1 landscape. The 39-year-old British driver will replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, a move that has drawn attention given the high-profile nature of both drivers. While the transition may be bittersweet for Hamilton, who has spent much of his career with Mercedes, he is eager to embrace a new challenge with Ferrari, a team with a rich history in the sport.

In terms of the Qatar GP itself, Hamilton’s performance in qualifying saw him secure a position of P6 on the starting grid for the race on Sunday. Although this was a solid result given the competitive nature of the grid, Hamilton will be hoping for a better outcome during the race. Sainz, on the other hand, will start just behind him in P7, despite his pit lane incident earlier in the session.

The tension between the two drivers could have added an extra layer of drama to the race, but both will be focused on putting in a strong performance for their respective teams. With the conclusion of the season approaching, the remaining races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will be crucial for both drivers, with Hamilton looking to end his long-running Mercedes tenure on a high note, and Sainz eager to prove himself as a key player in Ferrari’s future.

In summary, the incident involving Hamilton and Sainz in the pit lane during the Qatar GP qualifying resulted in a €5,000 fine for Ferrari due to an unsafe release. This incident added to the already challenging weekend for Hamilton, who will compete in his final two Grands Prix with Mercedes before transitioning to Ferrari. Both drivers will be focused on achieving the best possible results in the upcoming races, with the 2024 season nearing its conclusion.