FIA announce Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict after Miami following in…read more
Lewis Hamilton will not face any penalties following a late-race incident with Carlos Sainz during the Miami Grand Prix. The incident occurred in the final laps of the race, as Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, battled with the Williams of Sainz for eighth place. The two drivers collided at Turn 17 in a tight and aggressive contest for position.
Sainz attempted a move on the inside of Hamilton going into the corner. Both cars made contact at the apex, prompting a review by the race stewards. The incident was examined under Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2(d) of the International Sporting Code, which deals with on-track behavior and driver responsibilities.
After careful analysis, the stewards concluded that both Hamilton and Sainz shared the blame for the contact. They determined that Sainz was not sufficiently alongside Hamilton to be entitled to the racing line, and therefore was partly responsible. However, they also noted that Hamilton turned into the corner earlier than usual, limiting the space available for Sainz to attempt the overtake. Given that both drivers contributed to the incident, the stewards deemed it a racing incident and decided no further action was necessary.
The decision means Hamilton retains his finishing position without penalty. The outcome was a relief for the seven-time world champion, who had endured a frustrating afternoon in Miami—not just due to the on-track battle with Sainz, but also because of issues within his own team.
Hamilton expressed visible frustration with Ferrari’s race strategy during the Grand Prix. The British driver grew impatient when the team delayed an order to switch positions between him and his teammate Charles Leclerc. The team eventually complied, allowing Hamilton to move ahead, but the delay cost him valuable time and momentum.
Hamilton’s irritation was evident over the team radio. After Ferrari finally ordered the position change, he sarcastically told the team, “Have a tea break while you’re at it, come on!”—a clear sign of his displeasure at the lack of urgency in executing the strategy.
Despite the internal friction and the on-track clash, Hamilton managed to finish the race and escape any formal punishment from the stewards. The Miami Grand Prix proved challenging for Ferrari, as they continue to refine team coordination and race-day decisions. For Hamilton, avoiding a penalty was a small victory on a day when things didn’t go entirely to plan. The team will now shift focus to upcoming races, hoping for a smoother and more unified performance.
