FIA Reprimands Hamilton: €50,000 Fine in Qatar GP Track Drama
Oct.9 - In a turn of events during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team was summoned by the race stewards following an incident where he crossed the live track after a lap 1 crash.
Incident Overview
Hamilton, driving Car 44, abandoned his car in the gravel after a crash during the initial lap. Surprisingly, he decided to cross the active track to return to the pit lane. The timing was nail-bitingly close as he reached the inside edge of the track moments before Car 63 shot out of the pits at high velocity. He then proceeded to walk alongside the live track until he eventually exited.
FIA's Decision
The FIA stewards, upon receiving the report and considering video evidence, deemed this act as a breach of Article 26.7 b) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. As a result, Hamilton was reprimanded, marking his first reprimand of the 2023 season. Additionally, a hefty fine of €50,000 was imposed on the British driver, with €25,000 of it being suspended for the rest of the season on the condition that no similar breach occurs.
Hamilton's Response
During the hearing, Hamilton expressed deep regret over his decision to cross the live track, acknowledging the potential danger his actions might have posed to himself and the oncoming drivers. The stewards emphasized the severity of the act, reminding all drivers of the paramount importance of track safety.
Furthermore, the stewards pointed out that accumulating a certain number of reprimands during a season could lead to major driving penalties, aligning with Article 18.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
Right to Appeal
Competitors are informed that they can appeal specific decisions made by the stewards, as stated in Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules within the stipulated timeframes.
Note on Stewards' Decisions
Decisions taken by the stewards are fully independent of the FIA. They are based solely on the guidelines, regulations, and the evidence provided.
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The race was under SC neutralization & thus Russell wasn't approaching T1 from the pit lane at full racing speed, so minimized risk, not to mention he also crossed the track after his DNF in the 2012 Abu Dhabi GP equally under SC caution as did Sargeant after his qualifying off in Suzuka with the session under red & everyone driving into the pit lane + he was past the pit entry point & the same in Spanish GP FP1, even Max in the 2021 Italian GP under SC caution after his coming together with Lewis, not to mention several other cases of drivers crossing a track during a session albeit under also red flag conditions, so I'm surprised the FIA only reacted to this most recent one with a warning & fine.
Jere, once a red flag condition exists, the track is not active.
Although a track is still live until the last one enters pit lane.
Not one to stand-up for The Dame, but honestly, the Steward's are pant-wetters. Its bad enough he cut cross the bow of his team-mate and ended up beached with a wheel missing. To then treat him like a layman shuffling across a zebra-crossing is the epitome of ridiculous.
His career is bleeding to death as it is, this spanking by the Stewards was unnecessary.
Don't often disagree with your opinions, but the reprimand and fine were warranted. A rule is a rule, and a safety rule is on a whole other level.
not as if he will miss a moments wages .time to reel him in properly.nose ring out ,pee standing up and no more hormone treatment plus some points on his licence
Its a wonder she didn't play , "there picking on me again" like she has so often in the past, what no fight left in her?
Bit slow today SShoddypost, don't tell me you had something else other than being a keyboard warrior today.
There are clear safety reasons that indicate nobody is permitted to cross the track whilst cars are active on the track.
For those who are newcomers to F1, one of the main factors for this regulation stems from the death of Tom Pryce and a fire marshal in a race at Kyalami, South Africa, in 1977, where Tom Pryce and a fire marshal were both killed when the fire marshal crossed the track as Tom Pryce approached at speed.
No excuses, it doesn't matter who you are, this is a safety rule that must be adhered to as long as there are cars moving on track.
If you remember back to Australia last year Australia after Practice 1 Vettel went on the Track after the Cars were in the pits but got fined because you have to get approval of the Marshalls to go onto the Track so same with Hamilton but was worse with Hamilton as he crossed the Track and Russell was near on track
At least he rode the circuit in a marshal scooter rather than walked or ran & Russell wasn't approaching T1 at full racing speed under SC caution anyway, so minimized risk.
even Sc still risky
Crossing the circuit contravenes the safety regulations at any time the circuit is active. Cars under SC control mean the circuit is still active, and the safety reg applies. Don't understand why you are making excuses for Hamilton's misdemeanour.
I'm not making excuses, but merely pointing out that similar instances have gone without a reprimand & fine before, so I'm surprised FIA suddenly took action.
You cock up you pay the price, he realised he cocked up and apologised. A good reminder for the others. Simples. The fact that it was a seven times wdc makes it far worse.