F1 Announces Punishment for Lewis Hamilton After Brazil GP Sprint Qualifying

Despite the laxity in speed reduction, the lap affected was not Hamilton’s fastest in the session, meaning his starting position remains unchanged.

FIA's Official Report on Lewis Hamilton Incident

According to the stewards’ report, the yellow flags were triggered only moments before Hamilton approached the corner.

The FIA stewards confirmed that Hamilton failed to slow sufficiently under double yellow flags after Charles Leclerc’s spin at the exit of Turn 10. The decision followed a detailed review of video, telemetry, and in-car footage.

“During the hearing, Hamilton explained that he did not see the light signal. The onboard footage confirms that the signal was only illuminated for a fraction of a second before Hamilton passed it,” the document stated.

The stewards found Hamilton’s explanation credible, acknowledging that his focus at the time was on the turn-in point rather than the left-hand light panel.

“As the driver’s focus was clearly on the turn-in point, he was looking to the right-hand side of the track; thus, the stewards find it credible that he did not actually perceive the signal,” the report added.

However, Hamilton admitted he saw Leclerc’s Ferrari stationary at the side of the track and noticed a green light further ahead.

“He therefore had to realise that he was at least in a yellow sector and, as a consequence, had to reduce speed discernibly,” the stewards said.

Telemetry data revealed that Hamilton briefly hesitated on the throttle but did not slow down as required under the regulations. While a breach of double yellow flag protocol usually results in a grid penalty, the FIA opted for a reprimand, citing past precedents.

“In similar circumstances in the past, the stewards have deemed it appropriate to impose a reprimand rather than the standard five-place grid penalty,” the report concluded.

The ruling means Hamilton will retain his Sprint Race starting position (#11) at Interlagos, but now carries a formal warning for the incident.