Hamilton punished after Hungarian GP qualifying investigation
Lewis Hamilton has been handed a three-place grid penalty following an investigation into the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton was second-fastest in qualifying on Saturday and was narrowly beaten to pole position by Lando Norris of McLaren. However, it was immediately clear that the result could be under question, with Hamilton placed under investigation by the FIA.
The seven-time world champion was accused of impeding Oscar Piastri in the closing stages of qualifying, with TV replays from a camera mounted on the Australian’s car clearly showing that the McLaren driver had to slow down to avoid Hamilton in his slow-moving Ferrari. Kimi Antonelli was also handed a grid penalty, and will start in seventh on the grid despite being the fourth fastest driver in qualifying.
Hamilton appeared disappointed in his immediate post-session interviews, acknowledging he believed he was facing trouble. When quizzed about his prospects for Sunday's race, he responded:
It's all dependent on the stewards, so we'll see what happens in the next half an hour. I always assume the worst, so tomorrow might be damage limitation.
Speaking to Sky Sports following qualifying, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur accepted the team was at fault for failing to adequately warn Hamilton that Piastri was approaching.
We told him, but far too late and it was a mistake,
Vasseur said. It has now been confirmed that Hamilton will drop three places on the grid, meaning he will line up fifth for the Grand Prix.
In their ruling, the stewards stated:
At the approach to turn one, Car 44 [Hamilton] was travelling at a significantly reduced speed on the racing line while Car 81 [Piastri] was approaching on a push lap.
The driver of Car 44 explained that he had just completed a fast lap and did not receive the team's radio message regarding the approaching Car 81 until the latter was already in close proximity. He further stated that, due to the positioning of his car on the track, Car 81 was not visible in his mirrors.
Car 81, which was on a push lap, was forced to take avoiding action by running wide and being obliged to abort the lap.
Having examined the available evidence, the Stewards determined that Car 44 unnecessarily impeded Car 81 during qualifying. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page
In accordance with the FIA F1 Regulations and the established penalty guidelines for this type of infringement in qualifying, the Stewards impose a three-place grid penalty on the driver of Car 44.
Piastri will welcome the decision, having been vocal in his criticism of Hamilton's actions when speaking to reporters before the verdict was delivered.
It was just Lewis not looking in his mirrors. A shame, because it meant I didn't get a lap in either way. Clearly the car has been quick today. I've certainly been chasing it, it's not been easy, but clearly there's performance there.
