FIA announce Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict after ‘dangerous’….read more
Lewis Hamilton has escaped punishment following an investigation into a controversial moment during Free Practice 2 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The incident, which occurred at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, saw Hamilton allegedly impede Williams driver Alex Albon during one of his flying laps. Albon, clearly frustrated at the time, called the maneuver “dangerous” over the team radio, stating he had to take evasive action to avoid a potential collision.
However, following a thorough review, Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has confirmed that no penalty will be issued to the seven-time world champion. The race stewards did review the incident and acknowledged that Hamilton did unnecessarily obstruct Albon at Turn 17. Nevertheless, they concluded that the act did not meet the criteria for a dangerous maneuver, which was a crucial factor in their final ruling.
In a statement released after the session, the stewards explained that both drivers were called in for questioning. Albon admitted that while he was initially surprised by Hamilton’s positioning on the track, he ultimately had control of his car and was able to avoid any real danger. This retrospective analysis played a significant role in the decision not to penalize Hamilton, as Albon’s own comments lessened the severity of the situation.
Interestingly, Albon also mentioned that he had already spotted Hamilton ahead of him at the previous corner, so he was not entirely blindsided by the Ferrari’s placement. The unexpected part, however, was where Hamilton ended up—right on the racing line at Turn 17. While it did cause Albon to alter his trajectory and sparked an emotional reaction, he later acknowledged there was no serious risk of a crash.
This development brings some relief for Hamilton, who has had a bumpy start to his debut season with Ferrari. After four race weekends, the British driver has only accumulated 25 points, placing him seventh in the drivers’ standings. His teammate Charles Leclerc is currently ahead of him, further highlighting the challenges Hamilton has faced so far in the 2025 campaign.
The Jeddah weekend is seen as a potential turning point for Hamilton, who is eager to reassert himself as a title contender. The incident with Albon, although now closed without penalty, added to the growing pressure on Hamilton to deliver results for Ferrari—especially considering the weight of expectation following his blockbuster move from Mercedes.
Adding to the drama earlier in the day was an on-track moment with Carlos Sainz, the man Hamilton replaced at Ferrari. Sainz was reportedly frustrated by Hamilton’s decision not to yield position in a specific part of the track, leading to a stern warning from the Spaniard. While this did not result in any official complaint or investigation, it added tension to what has already been a highly scrutinized start to Hamilton’s time with the Scuderia.
Despite these issues, Hamilton remains focused on bouncing back in Saudi Arabia. With the stewards opting against penalizing him, he can now concentrate fully on optimizing his car’s performance for qualifying and the race. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, known for its high-speed layout and tight corners, leaves little room for error, so every decision on track is under the microscope.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on whether Hamilton can turn things around and put his early-season struggles behind him. With the pressure mounting and rivals already pulling ahead in the championship race, the Saudi Grand Prix presents a key opportunity for him to regain momentum—and possibly even silence some of the critics questioning his early Ferrari performances.
