Lewis Hamilton handed FIA punishment after a chaotic…read more
Lewis Hamilton was among two Formula 1 drivers to receive a formal warning from the FIA following Friday’s practice sessions at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver found himself under scrutiny after an impressive FP2 session, where he outpaced his teammate and secured the fourth-fastest time. However, post-session investigations revealed a potential breach of sporting regulations related to his practice start routine.
The controversy stemmed from a practice start Hamilton conducted at the end of the pit lane. According to an official FIA document, Hamilton was found to have overtaken several cars while making his way to the designated practice start area, which was deemed to be in violation of the race director’s instructions. This prompted an immediate review by the stewards, culminating in a formal warning issued to both Hamilton and his Ferrari team.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll also found himself in similar trouble, having committed an analogous infraction. Like Hamilton, Stroll was officially warned for failing to adhere to the prescribed practice start procedures, as confirmed in a separate FIA document. The warning serves as a reminder of the stringent regulations governing such aspects of a race weekend.
This latest run-in with the FIA adds to Ferrari’s growing list of regulatory challenges this season. The Italian outfit had already found itself in the spotlight at the previous race in China, where both Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc were disqualified due to a technical infraction. Given this backdrop, Ferrari had hoped for a trouble-free weekend at Suzuka, but Hamilton’s latest warning has once again brought the team under scrutiny.
Despite these challenges, Hamilton remains optimistic about Ferrari’s prospects. Speaking ahead of the race, he emphasized the team’s resilience in the face of setbacks and maintained that morale within the squad remains high. Ferrari, however, currently finds itself in a challenging position in the Constructors’ Championship, sitting in fifth place with just 17 points accumulated across the first two races. For Hamilton, the transition to Ferrari has been anything but smooth. With only one point secured from two full-length races, his sprint race victory stands out as his only notable achievement so far in the season.
The FIA’s official statement regarding Hamilton’s infraction at Suzuka read: “Car 44 overtook several cars in the fast lane whilst traversing the working lane to the practice start area. The stewards heard from the team representative and reviewed the video evidence, which confirmed the fact referred to above.” The statement further clarified that teams and drivers have the right to appeal the stewards’ decisions under Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the stipulated time frame.
The implications of these warnings, though not resulting in immediate sporting penalties, reinforce the FIA’s commitment to enforcing regulations consistently. Such infractions may not always impact race results directly, but repeated breaches could lead to stricter scrutiny and potentially harsher punishments in the future.
The Japanese Grand Prix weekend has already witnessed significant disruptions. Apart from the FIA’s regulatory interventions, the practice sessions have seen multiple red flag interruptions. Incidents such as a crash involving Alpine’s Jack Doohan and minor trackside fires caused by sparks igniting dry grass have contributed to an unpredictable build-up to the main event.
Meanwhile, McLaren has emerged as a formidable force this season, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivering strong performances during practice. Norris, in particular, has taken an early lead in the drivers’ standings, signaling a competitive season ahead. As Ferrari continues to find its footing, Hamilton and his team will be looking to put these regulatory distractions behind them and focus on maximizing their performance at Suzuka.
Looking ahead, Ferrari’s primary objective remains improving their race pace and overall consistency. Hamilton’s experience and pedigree as a seven-time world champion will be crucial in helping the team navigate these challenges. However, with the competition intensifying, every minor misstep—be it technical, strategic, or regulatory—could have significant ramifications on their championship ambitions.
As the race weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on how Hamilton and Ferrari respond to this latest setback. Whether they can channel this adversity into a strong performance on race day remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the road ahead is fraught with challenges, and every point will be hard-fought in this tightly contested Formula 1 season.
