FIA issue Lewis Hamilton verdict after Austrian Grand Prix inc…read more
The FIA has officially issued its verdict regarding Lewis Hamilton’s involvement in an incident during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. The seven-time world champion, now racing for Ferrari, found himself at the center of scrutiny following an on-track clash during Friday’s practice sessions at the Red Bull Ring.
As the Formula 1 season entered its 11th round in Spielberg, Austria, anticipation was high for another thrilling weekend of racing. However, Hamilton’s return to the track took a downturn almost immediately. In the first free practice session (FP1), Hamilton encountered technical troubles with his Ferrari’s gearbox. The issue disrupted his running and limited his performance, leaving him only ninth-fastest by the end of the session — a disappointing result for a driver of his caliber and reputation.
The situation further deteriorated in the second practice session (FP2), when Hamilton became involved in a controversial on-track incident with the Mercedes of young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli. The clash sparked an immediate response from race stewards, who launched an investigation into the event. Both drivers were summoned for questioning, and video footage and telemetry data were reviewed to determine whether either party was at fault.
Given Hamilton’s stature in the sport and the high expectations surrounding his first season with Ferrari, the incident drew significant media attention. Fans and analysts alike speculated whether Hamilton would face a grid penalty, fine, or even disciplinary points on his Super Licence.
After a thorough review, the FIA released its official statement regarding the incident late Friday evening. The governing body concluded that while the altercation was unfortunate, it was deemed a racing incident with no clear evidence of deliberate wrongdoing or recklessness from Hamilton. As such, no further action would be taken against the Ferrari driver. This decision means Hamilton will retain his position heading into the remainder of the weekend and will not be subject to any grid drops or time penalties for the main race.
Nevertheless, the incident added to what was already a difficult day for Hamilton, whose hopes of a strong weekend with Ferrari appear to be under threat. With Ferrari still looking to mount a serious challenge to Red Bull and McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, Hamilton’s setbacks — both mechanical and situational — could not have come at a worse time.
As the race weekend continues, all eyes will be on how Hamilton and Ferrari recover from a challenging start in Spielberg. The focus now shifts to Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race, where Hamilton will be eager to put the controversies behind him and return to the competitive front.
