FIA Delivers Verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s..read more
The opening race of the 2025 Formula 1 season in Australia was nothing short of a spectacle, with unpredictable weather conditions turning it into a dramatic and chaotic affair. The rain, which arrived at crucial moments, caught even the most experienced drivers off guard, leading to multiple crashes, surprising results, and intense battles on the track.
Among those who struggled with the conditions were Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Liam Lawson, all of whom failed to finish the race after various incidents. Meanwhile, McLaren also faced significant difficulties as the track became progressively wetter towards the closing stages. Oscar Piastri, racing in front of his home crowd, saw his position plummet as he dropped out of the top ten, but he managed to recover and finished ninth. His teammate, Lando Norris, delivered an exceptional performance and took advantage of the changing conditions to claim victory at the Albert Park Circuit.
For Lewis Hamilton, however, his much-anticipated debut with Ferrari did not go as planned. Despite showing promise in the early laps, the seven-time world champion was one of many drivers caught out by the sudden downpour. The slippery conditions saw him struggle for grip, and he gradually dropped down the order, ultimately finishing in tenth place—just inside the points. To make matters worse, he lost ninth place late in the race when Oscar Piastri executed a brilliant overtaking move around the outside at Turn 9.
However, Hamilton’s race could have ended on an even more disappointing note, as he was investigated by the FIA stewards for a potential rules violation during an early safety car period. Along with three other drivers—Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson—Hamilton was noted for failing to maintain the mandatory ten-car-length gap behind the safety car.
When the safety car is deployed, drivers must keep within a reasonable distance of the car ahead to ensure a fair and safe restart. Any significant deviation from this rule can result in penalties, potentially altering race results. Given Hamilton’s already difficult outing in Melbourne, a penalty could have pushed him further down the order or even out of the points altogether.
Fortunately for Hamilton and the other drivers under investigation, the FIA stewards ultimately decided against imposing any penalties. After thoroughly reviewing the available evidence—including positioning and marshalling system data, video footage, and onboard cameras—the stewards acknowledged that while the drivers had indeed exceeded the ten-car-length gap at certain moments, the challenging weather conditions played a major role in their decisions on track.
In an official statement, the FIA explained: “The stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, and in-car video evidence. Although the gap to the previous car exceeded the ten car lengths prescribed in the regulations, the stewards considered the weather conditions and also that the correct gap was restored well prior to the restart, as mitigating circumstances in this case. Hence no penalty is applied.”
This verdict will come as a relief to Hamilton, Alonso, Tsunoda, and Lawson, as any penalties could have significantly impacted their final positions. It also highlights the FIA’s willingness to take context into account rather than rigidly enforcing penalties in difficult racing conditions.
While Hamilton managed to escape further misfortune, his Ferrari debut will still be viewed as a frustrating start to the season. The Scuderia had high hopes for the race, but both Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, struggled in the wet conditions, finishing at the lower end of the points. Ferrari will be looking for a stronger performance in the upcoming rounds, as they aim to challenge McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes for the title.
As the F1 circus moves on to the next race, all eyes will be on how Hamilton and Ferrari respond to their Melbourne disappointment. Will they bounce back stronger, or will the challenges continue? The season has only just begun, but if the Australian Grand Prix was any indication, fans are in for an exhilarating ride in 2025.
