FIA Announces Verdict on Lewis Hamilton Following Saudi Grand Prix Practice Incident
Lewis Hamilton has escaped penalty after a contentious moment during the second free practice session (FP2) at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion was under investigation by the FIA following an incident involving Williams driver Alex Albon, which the Thai-British racer initially described as “dangerous.” Despite Albon’s strong reaction over team radio and the need to take evasive action, the race stewards ultimately concluded that the situation did not warrant disciplinary action against Hamilton.
Incident During FP2 Sparks Controversy
The incident occurred at Turn 17 on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a notoriously narrow and high-speed section of the track. Hamilton appeared to impede Albon while the latter was on a flying lap. The Williams driver, surprised by Hamilton’s position, had to quickly maneuver his car to avoid contact. Frustrated, Albon labeled the maneuver “dangerous” in real time during team radio communications.
Following the session, both drivers were summoned by the stewards to provide their accounts of the incident. After reviewing the footage and hearing from Hamilton and Albon, the stewards acknowledged that the Ferrari driver had indeed impeded the Williams car. However, the officials emphasized that the impeding was not severe enough to be classified as dangerous driving.
According to the FIA’s statement, although Hamilton did unnecessarily get in the way of Albon’s lap, the situation didn’t pose a serious threat to safety. Albon later confirmed in his testimony that he had seen Hamilton ahead of him going into the corner and had full control of his car throughout the encounter. He stated there was no imminent risk of a collision, which ultimately led the stewards to refrain from issuing a grid penalty, time penalty, or even a reprimand.
No Penalty Issued After Review
The FIA stewards’ report concluded:
> “While Car 44 [Hamilton] did impede Car 23 [Albon], the action did not meet the threshold for ‘dangerous driving.’ Car 23’s driver maintained control and adjusted accordingly, and upon review, all parties agreed that no immediate hazard was present at the time of the incident.”
This verdict has divided opinion in the paddock, with some arguing that even non-dangerous impeding should be penalized in practice sessions to maintain fairness. Others believe the stewards made the right call in avoiding unnecessary penalties, especially when no direct consequences occurred.
Albon Surprised by Hamilton’s Position
Albon added some clarity to the situation during his post-session comments. He noted that he had been aware of Hamilton’s car ahead of him as they approached the corner but was surprised to see the Ferrari still in the racing line at Turn 17.
> “I did see Lewis ahead of me earlier, but I didn’t expect him to still be there when I came through Turn 17,” Albon said. “At the time, it caught me off guard, and my initial reaction on the radio probably reflected that. But in hindsight, there was no real danger. I had the situation under control.”
Hamilton Faces Pressure in Early Ferrari Days
This incident comes at a tense time for Hamilton, who is still trying to find his rhythm with Ferrari. After four races with the Italian team, Hamilton has only managed to accumulate 25 points — a disappointing return by his usual standards. With the season already heating up, Hamilton is eager to turn things around and establish himself as a frontrunner in the championship race.
Earlier in the day, tensions flared again when Carlos Sainz — the driver Hamilton replaced at Ferrari — warned the Briton about letting cars pass through certain parts of the track during practice. That exchange didn’t result in an investigation, but it highlighted the growing competitive pressure Hamilton faces from both within his new team and the wider grid.
Despite the off-track drama, Hamilton is staying focused on performance. He’s aiming for a strong weekend in Jeddah to boost his championship hopes and shake off the slow start to his Ferrari tenure.
Looking Ahead to the Race
As the paddock prepares for qualifying and race day, all eyes will be on how Hamilton responds under pressure. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, known for its tight corners and unforgiving walls, leaves little room for error. With the stewards opting not to penalize him, Hamilton has a clean slate going into the remainder of the weekend.
For Alex Albon and the Williams team, the incident is behind them, and they are refocusing on extracting performance from their car after a mixed start to the season.
While the FIA’s decision not to penalize Hamilton might not sit well with everyone, it sets the tone for a high-stakes Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — one where tensions, talent, and timing will all play crucial roles.
