FIA announce Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict after ‘d…..read more
Lewis Hamilton has escaped punishment from the FIA following an incident that took place during the second practice session (FP2) of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The event, which drew criticism from fellow Formula 1 driver Alex Albon, was initially considered potentially dangerous. However, after an investigation, the FIA stewards concluded that Hamilton’s actions did not merit any penalty.
The incident occurred during FP2 when Hamilton, while not on a hot lap, appeared to obstruct Alex Albon’s Williams as Albon was pushing on a flying lap. The maneuver forced Albon to take evasive action to avoid a possible collision. The moment triggered an emotional reaction from Albon, who voiced his frustration over team radio, labeling the move as “dangerous.” His outburst reflected genuine concern over the safety implications of the near-miss, especially on a street circuit like Jeddah, known for its high speeds and narrow layout.
Following the session, the FIA reviewed the footage and telemetry data from both cars. The race stewards examined whether Hamilton had indeed impeded Albon in a way that breached the sporting regulations or endangered the safety of either driver. After evaluating all relevant information and listening to input from both teams, the officials decided that the incident did not warrant further disciplinary action.
In their official statement, the FIA acknowledged the situation but ultimately determined that no rules had been broken to the extent of requiring a penalty. The stewards concluded that although the timing and positioning of Hamilton’s car may have caused a brief obstruction, it was not intentional nor recklessly dangerous. Therefore, they opted not to penalize the seven-time world champion.
The decision has drawn a mixed reaction from fans and analysts, some of whom believe the FIA’s stance on driver behavior during practice sessions can be inconsistent. Blocking incidents in practice are typically treated less harshly than those in qualifying or races, as practice is not a competitive session in the traditional sense. However, safety remains paramount, and the close call in this case brought attention to the risks drivers face even in non-competitive laps.
Alex Albon, for his part, did not escalate the issue publicly beyond his in-the-moment radio comments. The Williams team also appeared to accept the stewards’ verdict, choosing not to pursue the matter further. While clearly frustrated at the time, Albon seemed to move on quickly and refocused on the rest of the race weekend.
Hamilton, meanwhile, did not comment extensively on the situation, and with no penalty looming over him, he continued his preparations for the main race without disruption. His team, Mercedes, likely saw the stewards’ verdict as a fair outcome, avoiding what could have been a frustrating setback in an already competitive and closely fought season.
In summary, while the incident raised eyebrows and sparked a conversation about on-track etiquette during practice, the FIA’s decision reflects their judgment that Hamilton’s move did not cross the line into punishable territory. The matter has now been officially closed, allowing both drivers to focus on the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend in Jeddah.
