How Hamilton escaped a time penalty

The FIA stewards were criticised in some quarters for their decision to only reprimand Lewis Hamilton for cutting across the grass to abort a pitstop after crossing the pitlane entry line in the German Grand Prix. They cited Kimi Raikkonen’s five-second penalty for a similar offence in the 2016 European Grand Prix at Baku. But Hamilton was only reprimanded owing to the very different circumstances. Hamilton and Mercedes were called before the stewards after the podium ceremonies had concluded, with the summons citing a potential violation of the FIA International Sporting Code. Hamilton’s race-winning margin of 4.5s over team-mate Valtteri Bottas meant his race victory was under threat due to the possibility of a time penalty. Following lengthy deliberations, the stewards, who included former Ferrari F1 driver Mika Salo, decided the sanction would be limited to a reprimand – Hamilton’s first of the season. The stewards ’explanation for the decision read: “it was clear there was an infringement of the above mentioned rule – the driver clearly crossed the line separating the pit entry from the track. “In deciding on the penalty for the infringement, we took into account the following mitigating factors: “(i) The driver and the team candidly admitted the mistake and the fact that there was confusion within the team as to whether to stay out or to enter the pits and that led to the infringement. “(ii) The fact that the infringement took place during a Safety Car period. “(iii) At no time was there any danger to any other competitor and the change in direction was executed in a safe way. “Taking all of the above into account, including considering previous infringements of the above rule, we are of the opinion that a reprimand

would be the appropriate penalty for the said infringement on this occasion.” FIA race director Charlie Whiting described the precedent set by Raikkonen’s Baku penalty as “a quite a lot different, particular scenario”. This is correct as there were concerns about the safety of the pit entry and Raikkonen crossed the line with no intention to pit while battling with Daniel Ricciardo, and there were specific instructions issued to avoid such a situation. That case was also under green-flag conditions, rather than the safety car that was deployed before Hamilton cut back onto the track. There are also examples where drivers have not been given time penalties for related offences. “They asked me to explain what happened, and I was 100% open with them,”said Hamilton. “they could hear how confusing it was and that was that.”