FIA announce Lewis Hamilton punishment after…read more
The FIA has concluded its investigation into Lewis Hamilton following a near-miss incident with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli during practice at the Austrian Grand Prix. Despite speculation around possible sanctions, the seven-time world champion has ultimately escaped formal punishment, receiving only a warning for the incident.
F1 returned to the Red Bull Ring for the 11th round of the 2025 season, and Friday’s action-packed practice sessions set the stage for another dramatic weekend in Spielberg. For Hamilton, the day proved challenging from the outset. Driving for Ferrari, he suffered gearbox issues in FP1 and managed only the ninth-fastest time. Matters worsened in FP2 when he became involved in a controversial on-track moment with Antonelli.
The incident occurred as Hamilton, on a slow lap, inadvertently moved onto the racing line heading into Turn 4. At the same time, Antonelli, who was on a hot lap, approached quickly and was forced to take evasive action to avoid contact. The 18-year-old Italian, who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes this season, expressed frustration over team radio, questioning why Hamilton had strayed onto the line.
Hamilton acknowledged the error immediately, gesturing an apologetic wave toward Antonelli and later explaining over the radio: “I couldn’t see Antonelli at all.” The stewards wasted no time in summoning Hamilton post-session, citing a possible breach of Article 37.5 of the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, which covers impeding during on-track sessions.
The FIA conducted a full review, which included in-car footage and team communications. Both drivers and their team representatives were interviewed. According to the FIA’s official statement, Hamilton was aware that Antonelli was closing in and had been checking his mirrors. However, he still gradually moved toward the racing line as they approached Turn 4, thereby forcing Antonelli to take avoiding action.
While impeding is typically dealt with more leniently during Free Practice sessions, the stewards judged this particular instance to be unnecessary. They acknowledged Hamilton’s immediate apology and accepted that there was no malicious intent. However, they stressed that even in a practice setting, such incidents must be avoided for safety reasons.
As a result, Hamilton was issued a formal warning — a light punishment compared to a possible grid penalty or fine. The decision comes during a tough stretch for the 40-year-old, whose transition to Ferrari has so far fallen short of expectations. In contrast, his successor Antonelli is enjoying a strong rookie campaign at Mercedes, making the on-track clash even more notable.
The verdict from the stewards puts the incident to rest, but it adds to the growing list of frustrations for Hamilton this season. With Sunday’s race still to come, the focus will now return to Ferrari’s efforts to turn things around at the Red Bull Ring and Hamilton’s hopes of salvaging a competitive result.
