FIA Clears Hamilton and Sainz in Miami GP Clash as Ferrari Strategy Comes Under Fire
The FIA has delivered its final judgment following an investigation into a late-race clash between Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz during the closing stages of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. The incident, which took place at Turn 17 during an intense battle for eighth position, resulted in both cars making contact — raising questions about whether either driver violated racing conduct regulations outlined in the International Sporting Code.
Sainz, now driving for Williams, attempted a daring move on Hamilton’s Ferrari by diving down the inside at the sharp right-hander. As they reached the apex, the cars made slight contact, drawing scrutiny from race stewards under Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2 d) — a section that regulates car positioning and safe overtaking during wheel-to-wheel battles.
After analyzing all available telemetry and onboard footage, the stewards concluded that blame for the contact could not be assigned to either driver individually. While Sainz initiated the move, he was not sufficiently alongside Hamilton to justify a full claim to the corner. His position did not meet the criteria necessary to assert the racing line, meaning his attempt to overtake was viewed as overly ambitious for that part of the track.
Hamilton, on the other hand, was found to have turned into the corner slightly earlier than his usual line — a maneuver that reduced Sainz’s available space and increased the likelihood of contact. Although the stewards noted that this move played a role in the incident, it was not deemed serious enough on its own to merit a penalty.
As both drivers contributed in part to the clash and neither was found wholly at fault, the stewards opted not to take any further action. Consequently, Hamilton avoided a post-race time penalty and retained his final race position, preserving the points he earned for Ferrari.
Beyond the collision, Hamilton’s race was marked by rising frustration with Ferrari’s race strategy. Early on, he found himself stuck behind teammate Charles Leclerc and repeatedly urged the pit wall to authorize a position swap to maximize team performance. Despite his appeals, Ferrari delayed the decision — a hesitation that clearly irked Hamilton.
When the team eventually relented and allowed the change, Hamilton responded over the team radio with sarcasm, saying, “Have a tea break while you’re at it, come on!” The quip was a clear indication of his growing impatience with what he saw as indecisive strategy execution.
Matters escalated further when Hamilton was told mid-race that Sainz, now closing in quickly from behind, was just 1.4 seconds adrift. Still bristling from the earlier delay, Hamilton replied with another biting remark, asking the team if they’d like him to “let Sainz through as well.”
After the race, speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton elaborated on his mid-race frustration. He clarified that his critical remarks stemmed from a sense of urgency and a desire to capitalize on the team’s performance potential during key race moments. “I lost a lot of time behind Charles, and in that moment, I was just thinking, ‘Let’s make a call, let’s not lose time,’” he said.
While Hamilton admitted that his radio comments may not have been well-received, he defended his right to express emotions in high-pressure situations. “I get that some people might not like what I said, but it’s an intense environment. It’s frustrating when things aren’t flowing,” he explained.
In the end, despite the internal team tension and the FIA probe, Hamilton still walked away with valuable championship points. The decision not to penalize him ensures he can shift focus to the next round of the championship — though questions around Ferrari’s strategic sharpness may linger heading into the upcoming races.
