FIA Announces Lewis Hamilton Penalty Verdict After Miami Grand P… read more
The FIA has confirmed the outcome of its investigation into the late-race collision involving Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. The stewards reviewed footage and telemetry data related to the incident, which occurred in the final laps of the race as the two drivers fought for eighth place. Ultimately, the decision was made that no further action would be taken, with the governing body concluding that both drivers shared responsibility for the collision.
The incident occurred at Turn 17, a heavy braking zone where overtaking is common but often risky. As Sainz, driving for Williams, attempted a late move up the inside of Hamilton’s Ferrari, the two cars made contact at the apex. The situation was flagged as a potential breach of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2 d) of the International Sporting Code, which governs on-track behavior and overtaking regulations.
Following a thorough review, the stewards ruled that Sainz was not in a sufficiently advanced position to claim the racing line. At the same time, they observed that Hamilton had turned in earlier than usual, potentially closing the door too aggressively on the Spaniard. This combination of misjudgments from both drivers led to the conclusion that blame could not be solely assigned to either party.
“The stewards consider this a racing incident,” the FIA said in a statement released shortly after the conclusion of the investigation. “While Sainz attempted a legitimate overtaking maneuver, he was not clearly alongside Hamilton at the apex. Meanwhile, Hamilton deviated slightly from a typical racing line and may have contributed to the contact. Given that both drivers bear some responsibility, no penalties will be applied.”
This ruling comes as a relief to Hamilton, who has faced mounting pressure since joining Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season. Although he escaped sanction, Hamilton’s race was far from smooth. Earlier in the Grand Prix, he voiced frustration over Ferrari’s strategic decisions, particularly around the timing of team orders involving teammate Charles Leclerc.
At one point, Hamilton was caught behind Leclerc, who was running at a slower pace. Despite Hamilton’s repeated calls over the radio to be allowed through, Ferrari delayed the swap, costing the seven-time world champion valuable time. Once the positions were finally reversed, Hamilton made his displeasure clear over team radio, sarcastically remarking: “Have a tea break while you’re at it, come on!”
Later in the race, when Hamilton was informed that Carlos Sainz was just 1.4 seconds behind him, he responded with further sarcasm, asking: “Do you want me to let Sainz through as well?” These radio messages captured the growing tension between Hamilton and his new team, and were widely discussed in the paddock and among fans.
Speaking after the race to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton explained his frustration. “I lost a lot of time behind Charles and in that moment, for sure, I was like ‘come on, let’s make a decision quick, let’s not waste time,’” he said. “I’m sure people didn’t like certain comments, but you’ve got to understand, it’s frustrating. You’re in the car, you’re racing hard, and you just want to maximize every lap.”
Despite these challenges, Hamilton managed to bring home valuable points for Ferrari. However, his current form and relationship with the team continue to raise questions. Many observers expected a smoother transition for the veteran driver, but the 2025 season has so far been marked by growing pains, miscommunication, and on-track drama.
Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, has shown flashes of strong performance in the Williams, which has made notable gains in competitiveness this season. While the Miami Grand Prix did not yield a top-ten finish for the Spaniard, his aggressive approach in the race signaled his determination to fight among the midfield and higher.
The FIA’s decision not to penalize either driver brings closure to this specific incident, but the broader narrative around Hamilton’s season at Ferrari continues to unfold. As the Formula 1 circus moves on to the next race, all eyes will be on how both Hamilton and Ferrari respond—both in terms of performance and in their internal dynamics.
