“FIA Clears Lewis Hamilton of Penalty After Controversial Australian Grand Prix Safety Car Incident”…..read more
The FIA has issued its verdict regarding an incident involving Lewis Hamilton during the Australian Grand Prix, following a review of the event. The 2025 season’s opening race at Melbourne’s Albert Park was a chaotic spectacle, with unpredictable weather conditions causing havoc on the track. Both rookies and seasoned drivers found themselves struggling as rain hit at crucial moments. Several drivers, including Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Liam Lawson, all suffered crashes throughout the race, while McLaren’s performance faltered as the track grew wetter in the latter stages.
Despite a tough race, Lando Norris emerged victorious, regaining the lead and holding onto it until the end. For Hamilton, however, it was a challenging debut with Ferrari. As the rain intensified, the British driver fell to the back of the top 10, alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton’s fortunes took a hit when Oscar Piastri overtook him late in the race, relegating him to a 10th-place finish, though the result could have been far worse.
The incident that caught the stewards’ attention occurred after the safety car was deployed following a dramatic opening lap. Hamilton, along with several other drivers, was flagged for failing to maintain a 10-car-length distance behind the safety car, a clear violation of the regulations. Along with Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson were all under scrutiny for this infringement.
However, after reviewing video footage, in-car data, and marshalling system information, the FIA decided not to impose any penalties. The official statement noted that while the gap exceeded the required 10-car-lengths, the stewards took into account the challenging weather conditions, which likely contributed to the drivers’ difficulty in maintaining the proper distance. Furthermore, they acknowledged that the correct gap was restored before the race resumed, making the penalties unnecessary in this case. This decision left Hamilton and the others without any further consequences from the safety car violation.
