Infringement Car 44 Causing A Collision With Car 63 In Turn 5
Belgian Grand Prix · 2026 · 19 July 2026 · Doc 57
- Driver
- Lewis Hamilton
- Team
- Scuderia Ferrari HP
- Session
- Race
2026 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
17 - 19 July 2026
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
Scuderia Ferrari HP Document 57 Date 19 July 2026 Time 16:18
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 44 - Lewis Hamilton Competitor Scuderia Ferrari HP Time 15:04
Session Race
Fact Causing a collision with Car 63 in turn 5 Infringement Breach of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2 d) of the FIA International Sporting Code. Decision 5 second time penalty. Reason The Stewards reviewed video, team radio and in-car video evidence. Approaching Turn 5 on the opening lap, Car 63 attempted an overtake around the outside of Car 44 and had established sufficient overlap to be entitled to racing room. Car 44 remained on the inside. During the corner, Car 44 experienced understeer and, despite attempting to avoid Car 63 by applying corrective steering, made contact with the right-hand side of Car 63 with its left-front wheel. The Stewards determined that Car 63 remained within the available racing room and that the collision was caused by Car 44 being unable to maintain sufficient separation. The Stewards recognise several mitigating circumstances. Car 44 acknowledged the presence of Car 63, attempted to leave appropriate racing room and made a genuine attempt to avoid contact. The collision resulted from a loss of front-end grip rather than from an aggressive or deliberate manoeuvre. In addition, the incident occurred on the opening lap, where reduced grip and compressed racing conditions are recognised. For these reasons, while Car 44 was wholly at fault for the collision, the Stewards consider that a 5-second Time Penalty, rather than the standard 10-second Time Penalty, is the appropriate penalty in accordance with the FIA Penalty Guidelines.
Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.