Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, is facing an inquiry over a potential Lewis Hamilton red flag breach during the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix weekend. The incident occurred during Saturday’s third practice session at the Marina Bay circuit, raising concerns about safety and adherence to race protocols.
The session was stopped after 17 minutes when Liam Lawson crashed at the exit of Turn 7, losing control of his Racing Bulls car after bottoming out on the kerbs. This was Lawson’s second consecutive crash during practice, which put significant pressure on him ahead of qualifying.
Details of the Red Flag Incident Involving Hamilton
Following the red flag caused by Lawson’s accident, onboard footage revealed Hamilton passing Lawson’s stationary vehicle near Turn 8 before accelerating through the latter part of his lap to return to the pitlane. According to Article 37.6 of Formula 1’s sporting regulations,
“all cars must immediately reduce speed and proceed slowly back to the pitlane”
whenever a red flag is displayed, a rule intended to ensure driver safety on the track.
Drivers are required to slow down enough to meet the minimum time targets shown on their dashboard in each marshalling sector during such safety periods. Hamilton and his Ferrari team were called to the stewards’ meeting at 7pm Singapore local time to clarify their actions during the red flag.
Potential Consequences and Prior Ferrari Penalty
The FIA has consistently imposed strict penalties for breaches related to red flags and other safety irregularities. Should Hamilton be found guilty of violating the regulations, he could face a grid penalty and points deduction on his racing licence. This incident adds further scrutiny on Ferrari, already fined €10,000 earlier in the weekend for an unsafe pitlane release involving Charles Leclerc, which resulted in damage to Lando Norris’s McLaren during the second practice session.
Broader Implications for the Singapore Race Weekend
The Singapore Grand Prix has been marked by multiple incidents that test teams’ adherence to safety protocols. With senior drivers like Hamilton and competitors such as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc under watch, the stewards’ decisions will have an important impact on the starting grid and race dynamics. Ensuring compliance with the rules is crucial not only for fair competition but also for the safety of all participants at the demanding Marina Bay circuit.
