Lewis Hamilton escaped a post-race penalty after FIA stewards reviewed an incident involving Oscar Piastri during the sprint race at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
The seven-time world champion came under investigation after appearing to leave the track and potentially gain an advantage while defending his position against the McLaren driver. The incident occurred at the final chicane, one of the most challenging overtaking sections of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where drivers often push the limits under heavy braking.
Hamilton was attempting to hold on to fourth place when he cut across the chicane during an intense wheel-to-wheel battle with Piastri. Although the Ferrari driver remained ahead immediately after rejoining the track, the FIA launched a review to determine whether he had unfairly benefited from leaving the circuit instead of navigating the corner correctly.
Under Formula 1 regulations, drivers are not permitted to gain a lasting advantage by exceeding track limits or missing corners. If stewards believe a driver has benefited from such an action without giving the position back, penalties ranging from time additions to position drops can be applied after the race.
Despite the scrutiny, the FIA eventually ruled that no further action would be taken against Hamilton. Stewards concluded that the British driver had not secured a significant or lasting advantage from the incident, allowing him to keep his final race classification.
The decision came as a relief for Hamilton and Ferrari, particularly because the investigation had the potential to carry serious consequences. Had the stewards opted to issue a standard 10-second penalty, Hamilton would likely have dropped behind Max Verstappen in the final standings, costing him additional points in the sprint race.
Although Hamilton initially managed to stay ahead after cutting the chicane, Piastri eventually completed the move in dramatic fashion near the end of the race. The Australian produced a decisive overtake at the same section of the track on the penultimate lap, finally breaking through after several laps of pressure.
Hamilton’s difficult closing laps did not end there. Moments after losing position to Piastri, he also came under pressure from Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc. Leclerc capitalised on the battle unfolding ahead and swept past Hamilton at the start of the final lap, pushing the British driver further down the order.
The intense sprint battle added another chapter to Ferrari’s challenging season, with Hamilton continuing to adapt to life at the Italian team following his blockbuster switch. While avoiding a penalty prevented an even worse result, the sprint still highlighted Ferrari’s struggles against McLaren and Red Bull in race pace.
For Piastri, the move showcased his growing confidence and racecraft, as the young McLaren star once again demonstrated his ability to challenge some of Formula 1’s biggest names under pressure. Meanwhile, Hamilton escaped Montreal without additional punishment, but the investigation ensured his sprint race remained one of the major talking points of the weekend.
