FIA Delivers Verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s Penalty After…read
The 2025 Formula 1 season roared into life in dramatic fashion at the Australian Grand Prix, as changeable wet-weather conditions wreaked havoc on the grid. From rookie sensations to seasoned veterans, no driver was spared the challenge of Albert Park’s unpredictable downpour. The race saw multiple crashes, strategic gambles, and intense battles as the field struggled to navigate the treacherous conditions.
Among those caught in the storm was Lewis Hamilton, making his much-anticipated Ferrari debut. The seven-time world champion was hoping for a strong start with his new team, but instead found himself battling against the elements, strategy miscalculations, and a field of hungry competitors. Initially running inside the points, Hamilton’s race took a downturn as the rain intensified, pushing both him and teammate Charles Leclerc towards the lower end of the top 10.
While McLaren’s Lando Norris surged to a surprise victory, capitalizing on the chaos, Hamilton was left fighting for scraps. In the closing laps, he found himself in a duel with fellow countryman Oscar Piastri. The young Australian, racing on home soil, executed a daring overtake around the outside of Turn 9, relegating Hamilton to 10th place. It was not the dream Ferrari debut the Brit had hoped for, but things could have been far worse had the FIA’s investigation taken a different turn.
Earlier in the race, Hamilton was placed under scrutiny by the FIA stewards for a potential rules violation during a safety car period. According to regulations, drivers must maintain a distance of no more than 10 car lengths behind the safety car to ensure a safe and orderly restart. However, Hamilton, along with Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson, was observed falling outside the prescribed limit. This immediately raised concerns of a possible penalty, one that could have stripped Hamilton of his solitary point and pushed him out of the top 10 altogether.
After a thorough investigation, however, the FIA ultimately decided that no penalties would be applied. In an official statement, the stewards cited several mitigating factors, including the difficult weather conditions and the fact that Hamilton—and the other drivers under scrutiny—had restored the correct gap well before the restart. With safety and competitive fairness in mind, the stewards deemed the incident non-punishable.
The ruling comes as a relief for Hamilton, who already faces a steep learning curve adapting to Ferrari’s machinery. Despite a lackluster result, avoiding a penalty means he at least salvaged a point from a race that could have ended in disaster. Meanwhile, Norris’ triumph and Piastri’s late heroics showcased the unpredictability of this new season, proving that 2025 is set to be an exhilarating ride.
As Formula 1 heads to its next destination, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see if Hamilton can bounce back and stake his claim in this year’s championship battle. One thing is certain: the drama is only just beginning.
