Lewis Hamilton and Lance Stroll Receive FIA Warnings at Japanese Grand Prix…… read more
Lewis Hamilton found himself among two drivers handed FIA punishments following the practice sessions at the Japanese Grand Prix. The incident occurred after Friday’s FP2 session, where Hamilton impressed by posting a time good enough for fourth place, ahead of his teammate. However, the Mercedes driver’s performance was overshadowed by a penalty investigation related to his actions during the session.
The issue arose over a practice start conducted by Hamilton at the end of the pitlane, which reportedly involved him overtaking other cars in order to reach the designated location for his practice start. This breach was seen as a violation of the race director’s instructions, which are designed to maintain order and safety during practice sessions. The FIA considered Hamilton’s maneuver an infringement of the sporting regulations, leading to an official reprimand.
Hamilton was handed a formal warning for his actions, alongside a similar sanction issued to Ferrari, who had committed the same infraction. The FIA’s decision to issue a warning rather than a more severe penalty reflects the nature of the violation, which was determined to be relatively minor. However, the FIA made it clear that such actions should not be repeated in the future.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll also found himself in hot water for a similar incident. The Canadian driver, like Hamilton, performed a practice start that involved overtaking other cars to get into position at the end of the pitlane. Stroll, too, was handed a warning for this breach of the race director’s instructions.
The FIA’s response to these incidents underlines the importance of adhering to the guidelines set out by the race director during practice sessions. While the penalties handed to Hamilton and Stroll were not severe, they serve as a reminder to drivers and teams of the importance of following the rules that govern the sport’s operations and safety protocols.
This punishment also draws attention to the FIA’s efforts to ensure fair play and consistency across all teams in the sport, as such actions can have a significant impact on the flow and fairness of the practice sessions. With both drivers receiving warnings, the Japanese Grand Prix weekend continues with a heightened awareness of the importance of following the race director’s in
structions.
