Lewis Hamilton may face scrutiny from the FIA stewards after continuing to drive his Ferrari Formula 1 car in an unsafe state following a crash during the final practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion appeared on track to set the quickest time but collided with the wall at the last corner, triggering the second red flag of the session at the newly introduced Madrid street circuit.
Despite the accident, Hamilton managed to reverse his car and get it moving again, though the front wing remained lodged underneath, inflicting significant damage to his SF-26, including a puncture to the front right tire. Hamilton repeatedly disregarded Ferrari’s instructions to stop the car, insisting he could make it back to the pits.
His race engineer, Carlo Santi, urged him: “Stop in the safest place possible,” to which Hamilton replied, “If I can make it back I will. If not, I will do it safely.” After being informed of the tire puncture, Hamilton acknowledged the issue but continued driving until midway through the lap, when he finally parked the car.
According to the 2026 F1 sporting regulations, driving with or failing to stop a car that has significant or obvious damage during a free practice session can lead to a reprimand or a grid penalty. At this time, race control has not confirmed whether Hamilton is being formally investigated. His actions caused a notable delay in FP3, where his teammate Charles Leclerc currently leads the timesheets.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson criticized Hamilton’s decision, emphasizing, “Any young driver watching this right now, you don’t do that. That rule is there for a reason.” Davidson stressed the potential hazards, particularly if the car’s front wing had lifted the front wheels and marshals were nearby, and added that the team should have better communicated the risks and consequences linked to Hamilton’s damaged car.
Fan Take:
This incident highlights the critical importance of safety and clear communication between drivers and teams, especially when car damage occurs on track. For racing fans, it’s a reminder that even top drivers like Hamilton must prioritize caution, as penalties for risky behavior could impact not just individual races but the overall competitiveness of the sport.
Source: www.crash.net
