Lewis Hamilton avoided a significant punishment at the Singapore Grand Prix after the FIA stewards deemed that he 'maintained full car control' under red flag conditions. The Ferrari driver was placed under investigation for allegedly flouting red flag regulations – a very serious charge that would have led to a substantial grid penalty for Sunday's race at the Marina Bay Circuit if he had been found guilty.
The controversy unfolded during final practice on Saturday, before qualifying commenced later that day. The incident wasn't broadcast live on the F1 TV feed, but Sky Sports commentator David Croft indicated Hamilton may have decelerated when Liam Lawson crashed in front of him before accelerating again while red flags were being displayed.
Race control flagged the incident during the session and, following discussions in the stewards' room, officials confirmed the matter would be examined after practice concluded. Hamilton was called to a hearing where he could present his version of events.
When ruled guilty, this offence typically demands a 10-place grid penalty, but after reviewing telemetry data and in-car video footage, the stewards decided that no further action was necessary. Hamilton will now qualify for the Singapore GP with a clean slate.
Explaining the decision, the stewards' report detailed: "During the red flag period following the incident involving Car 30 (LAW), HAM appeared to be travelling at a notably high speed. However, analysis of the telemetry data showed that between the display of the red flag and the entry to the pit lane, HAM remained above the required minimum time as stipulated by Article 37.6a of the 2025 FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
"Regarding the pit lane entry, the car’s speed was marginally higher than that of other cars in comparable situations, but the driver maintained full car control at all times and did not drive in a manner that could be considered unsafe. While the Stewards consider that a greater reduction of speed would have been desirable under the circumstances, it is concluded that there is no evidence of a breach of the applicable regulations."
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Hamilton concluded FP3 in eighth place on the timesheets, posting a fastest lap over four-tenths adrift of pace-setter Max Verstappen in his Red Bull. The leading five drivers were split by less than a tenth in an exceptionally close session, with both McLaren and Mercedes machines breathing down the Dutchman's neck.
Meanwhile, it was a disaster for Lawson as that crash was his second in as many days for the Kiwi driver. He caused significant damage to the right side of his Racing Bulls car, which had already been rebuilt following his incident on Friday, leaving his mechanics with another significant repair job and a scramble to find enough spare parts.
