F1 Star Given LATE Penalty Verdict as Hamilton Handed Bahrain Boost
In a dramatic turn of events days after the Bahrain Grand Prix, Formula 1 stewards have issued a delayed penalty decision that could have significant implications on the championship standings — and has handed Lewis Hamilton a crucial boost.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was slapped with a post-race time penalty for a breach involving track limits during a late-race battle with Hamilton, a decision that arrived more than 48 hours after the race concluded. The verdict has altered the final classification, promoting Hamilton from fourth to third, securing him a valuable podium finish.
The incident occurred on lap 54 of the race, when Leclerc defended aggressively against Hamilton heading into Turn 4. Stewards now confirm that Leclerc exceeded track limits without giving the position back, gaining a lasting advantage — a clear breach of regulations.
While the incident was noted during the race, the final decision came only after the FIA reviewed additional telemetry and onboard footage from multiple cars. According to the governing body, “new evidence became available that warranted a re-examination of the Lap 54 incident.”
The five-second time penalty applied retroactively drops Leclerc behind Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris in the final standings. That means Hamilton is awarded third place, marking a vital step in what could be his final campaign with Mercedes.
Speaking after the update, Hamilton expressed mixed emotions. “It’s not how you want to earn a podium, of course,” he said. “But the rules are there for a reason. I felt I was forced wide and lost a chance at the podium in the moment, so I’m glad it was looked at again.”
Leclerc, on the other hand, was visibly frustrated. “We were racing hard, and I thought it was within limits. To get a penalty days later is tough to swallow — especially when nothing was said during the race.”
The delay in the verdict has sparked controversy among fans and pundits alike, with many questioning the FIA’s consistency in applying penalties. This is not the first time the stewards have issued a late decision, but such calls can have huge ramifications in the tightly contested 2025 season.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle weighed in, saying: “It’s a tough one. You want the race result to be the race result — not something that changes two days later. But equally, you want fairness. If Leclerc gained a clear advantage, it’s the stewards’ job to correct that.”
The points swing could prove pivotal in the early stages of the championship battle. Hamilton now sits third in the drivers’ standings, just behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari slip further behind in the constructors’ tally.
For Mercedes, the outcome is a welcome morale boost after a challenging pre-season and inconsistent early races. Team principal Toto Wolff praised Hamilton’s resilience and welcomed the updated result. “We believed he drove a clean race and deserved that podium. It’s good to see justice done, even if a bit late.”
The FIA has promised to review the penalty decision timeline and is considering implementing real-time AI-assisted track limit monitoring to speed up judgments and reduce ambiguity.
As the F1 circus heads next to the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the fallout from Bahrain lingers. With tensions running high and the championship wide open, every point — and every decision — is under the microscope.
One thing is certain: Formula 1’s 2025 season continues to deliver drama both on and off the track.
