FIA launches review into Hamilton's Qatar track crossing
The FIA will revisit Lewis Hamilton's controversial live track crossing at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix. The FIA's review aims primarily to assess the adequacy of current penalties and establish firmer guidelines to improve driver safety.
The FIA has announced it will re-examine Lewis Hamilton's controversial track crossing during the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion had exited his Mercedes car after colliding with teammate George Russell on the opening lap and proceeded to walk across the live circuit back to the pits, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic.
While Hamilton was sanctioned during the race weekend with a reprimand and €25,000 fine (€50,000, of which half was suspended), the FIA now believes the incident warrants further investigation.
The governing body aims to reassess the adequacy of the original penalty and whether similar future transgressions should incur harsher sanctions.
Details of the lap 1 incident
On the run down to Turn 1, Hamilton's W12 made contact with the rear of Russell's car, sending the #44 Mercedes into a half-spin across the track.
🚨| The FIA is reviewing Lewis Hamilton's Qatar GP crossing incident, believing it was more serious than initially thought.
— F1News.live (@f1newslive_) October 15, 2023
The goal is not to punish Hamilton further, but to consider whether penalties for crossing a live race track should be increased.#F1 [Autosport] pic.twitter.com/liuRj61wdp
Russell was able to continue relatively unscathed, but Hamilton speared into the gravel trap, terminally damaging his front wing.
After swiftly exiting the stranded car, Hamilton proceeded to briskly walk across the circuit back to the pits just as the lead pack approached at racing speeds.
Stewards noted he crossed the track “in a relatively safe manner” after the final corner, but maintained this still constituted an unsafe, prohibited act.
Original stewards ruling and driver reaction
During the initial post-race investigation, Hamilton was apologetic and contrite, acknowledging the enormity of the safety risk posed by his actions.
Stewards emphasized Hamilton's status as a role model and the need to deter repeat incidents, before handing down a reprimand and €50,000 fine, half of which was suspended on condition of no similar breach this season.
The panel believed this penalty would suffice as a future deterrent.
FIA seeks review to assess safety implications
One week on from Qatar, the FIA has confirmed reports it will re-examine the Hamilton case, motivated primarily by safety rather than any increased punishment.
The aim is to determine whether current penalties for ill-advised track crossings are sufficient to prevent repeat occurrences.
The FIA also noted Hamilton's influential role model status in the sport when considering the implications of his actions on aspiring young drivers.
This review appears focused on establishing a clearer penalty directive for the future instead of handing Hamilton a harsher retrospective sanction.
Recent karting incident adds impetus
The FIA's decision has been thrust into the spotlight following a similar recent incident at the FIA Karting Championship finals in Italy.
A collision left British driver Joe Turney stranded on track, after which he rejoined unsafely and was struck at high speed, sustaining leg injuries.
Though unrelated to Hamilton, this alarming incident highlighted the dangers of ad-hoc track crossings.
The review will aim to create a stronger deterrent through clearly defined penalties.
While Hamilton does not appear to be facing further sanctions, the outcome of this review will likely result in firmer guidelines from the FIA around punishments for unsafe track crossings.
By re-evaluating the Qatar case, the governing body aims to establish improved safety standards that reduce on-track hazards and prevent repeat occurrences in the future.
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