In a surprising turn of events, the FIA has rekindled a contentious issue involving Lewis Hamilton’s actions during the Qatar Grand Prix. After retiring from the race due to a collision with his Mercedes teammate George Russell, Hamilton walked across the active racetrack to return to the pitlane. At that moment, the race was under the control of a Safety Car.
Revisiting the Incident
The FIA initially examined the incident and penalized Hamilton with a substantial fine of €50,000. Alongside the fine, Hamilton received an official reprimand, with half of the fine suspended on the condition that he doesn’t commit any further transgressions for the remainder of the season.
However, the governing body’s decision to revisit the incident has reignited the debate. In a statement, the FIA expressed concerns about the impression Hamilton’s actions may have left on younger drivers, citing his role model status.
Pundits Weigh In
This development has not gone unnoticed, and it has sparked discussions among Formula 1 pundits and experts. Notably, several voices in the motorsports community, including Alex Brundle and Karun Chandhok, have criticized the FIA’s decision. They point out that Max Verstappen walked on the track to reach the pits following a collision with Hamilton at Monza in 2021, suggesting a lack of consistency in the governing body’s approach.
The On Track GP podcast addressed this topic in its recent episode, where Jamie Chambers highlighted the significance of Lewis Hamilton’s actions. He emphasized that Formula 1 drivers are often seen as personalities integral to their teams and that Hamilton’s high visibility and outspoken opinions make his actions influential.
Chambers further noted that when a driver like Hamilton deviates from the rules, it sets a potentially dangerous precedent. The discussion surrounding Hamilton’s actions extends beyond the race track and underscores the influence top Formula 1 drivers have, not just as competitors but as role models.
