Lewis Hamilton escaped a potential grid penalty after the FIA launched an investigation into an incident during qualifying for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, as race stewards endured a hectic evening in Montreal reviewing multiple cases across the paddock.
The Ferrari driver finished fifth fastest during Saturday’s qualifying session at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but his result immediately came under scrutiny after officials announced he had been summoned alongside Alpine’s Pierre Gasly over an alleged impeding incident at Turn 8.
Hamilton had looked capable of fighting for a place closer to the front after Ferrari showed encouraging pace throughout qualifying. However, the seven-time world champion lost valuable time when he slid slightly at Turn 7 during his final flying lap, forcing him to abandon the attempt and settle for P5 on the provisional grid.
Shortly after the session ended, the FIA confirmed that Hamilton and Gasly would appear before the stewards for a suspected breach of Article B4.1.1 of the sporting regulations. Gasly was believed to have been impeded while attempting a push lap, sparking fears that Hamilton could receive a grid penalty ahead of Sunday’s race.
The incident quickly became one of the biggest talking points in the paddock, particularly given how important track position is around the tight Montreal circuit. Any penalty would have dealt a major blow to Ferrari’s hopes of competing near the front in the Grand Prix.
Stewards conducted a detailed investigation into the matter, reviewing timing screens, telemetry, marshalling systems, onboard footage, team radio conversations and video evidence from multiple angles. Hamilton, Gasly and team representatives were all called to explain their versions of events before a final decision was reached.
After analysing the evidence, the FIA decided not to hand Hamilton any punishment. Officials confirmed that no further action would be taken against the Ferrari driver, meaning he would retain his fifth-place starting position for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix.
In the FIA’s official statement, Hamilton explained that he believed Gasly was not on a competitive push lap at the time of the incident. Ferrari also supported Hamilton’s explanation, telling the stewards that the team had reached the same conclusion based on the data available during qualifying.
The verdict brought relief to Ferrari after concerns had grown over the possibility of a grid drop in such a closely contested weekend. Hamilton will now remain firmly in the fight near the front of the field as he looks to challenge for a podium in Montreal.
The Hamilton-Gasly case was only one of several investigations that kept FIA officials occupied after qualifying. Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were both summoned over separate unsafe release incidents in the pit lane. Following the hearings, the FIA handed Aston Martin a combined €15,000 fine for the two breaches.
Cadillac driver Sergio Perez also faced the stewards after an alleged incident involving Alonso under Article 12.2.1.i of the International Sporting Code. Perez avoided a harsher sanction but was officially reprimanded following the review.
Meanwhile, Lance Stroll’s difficult evening continued when he was called back to the stewards over a separate alleged impeding incident involving Nico Hulkenberg. The repeated investigations added even more tension to an already dramatic qualifying session at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Despite the flurry of post-session investigations, the starting order remained largely unchanged, with no major grid penalties issued among the frontrunners. Hamilton’s escape from punishment means Ferrari will still have a strong opportunity to compete near the front when the lights go out on Sunday.
With tempers already rising throughout the Canadian Grand Prix weekend and several controversial moments unfolding during qualifying, anticipation is building for what could become one of the most chaotic and unpredictable races of the Formula 1 season so far.
