Breaking: Lewis Hamilton Baffled After FIA Penalty…read more
In a dramatic turn of events at the Japanese Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton found himself at the center of controversy after receiving a penalty from the FIA, leaving fans and experts alike stunned. The Mercedes driver, known for his calculated aggression and racecraft, was left baffled by the decision, which could have significant implications for the championship standings.
During a tense and tightly contested race at Suzuka, Hamilton was penalized for what race stewards described as “leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage.” The incident occurred on Lap 18, as Hamilton battled with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for position. After running wide at Turn 11, Hamilton rejoined the track ahead of Leclerc – a move that was later deemed to have given him an unfair advantage.
The FIA handed Hamilton a five-second time penalty and one penalty point on his super licence, a decision that Mercedes promptly contested. Speaking after the race, a visibly frustrated Hamilton said, “I don’t understand it. I did everything I could to give the position back if I gained an advantage. I’m baffled by the verdict.”
The penalty ultimately cost Hamilton a spot on the podium, dropping him from third to fifth place after the time adjustment. The result dealt a blow to Mercedes’ constructors’ standings and widened the gap in the driver standings against championship leader Max Verstappen, who cruised to another dominant win for Red Bull.
Team Principal Toto Wolff also weighed in, stating, “The ruling is frustrating and inconsistent. We’ve seen similar incidents go unpunished this season. There needs to be clearer guidelines.”
This isn’t the first time the FIA’s decision-making has come under scrutiny, with many within the F1 community calling for more transparency and consistency in stewarding. Fans took to social media to voice their outrage, many pointing out that Hamilton had attempted to give back the position but was seemingly penalized regardless.
As the F1 circus now moves to China for the next race, the spotlight will remain firmly on the FIA and their handling of race incidents. For Hamilton and Mercedes, the road to championship redemption just got a little steeper – and a lot more controversial.
