Electric Cars

Hamilton's Singapore Red Flag Scrutiny Ends Without Sanction

Investigation Initiated Following Lawson's Crash During Practice

During the third free practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix, an incident involving Liam Lawson's car at Turn 7 led to a red flag. Immediately after, Lewis Hamilton came under scrutiny for his actions as he navigated the track under these changed conditions.

Hamilton's On-Track Behavior Under Review

Observers noted that after slowing down near the crash site, Hamilton appeared to increase his speed as he proceeded towards the pitlane. His car's pace upon returning to the garage seemed faster compared to other drivers on their cool-down laps.

Telemetry Data Provides Crucial Clarity

A thorough examination of telemetry data by the stewards revealed that Hamilton consistently adhered to the minimum lap time required by race officials for returning to the pits under red flag conditions. This evidence was pivotal in the subsequent decision.

Pit Lane Entry Deemed Safe Despite Perceived Speed

Although Hamilton's pit lane entry speed was slightly higher than some competitors, the stewards determined that he maintained complete control of his vehicle throughout. His driving was not deemed to be unsafe or in violation of regulations.

Stewards' Verdict: No Breach of Regulations

Concluding their investigation, the stewards issued a report stating that while a more significant reduction in speed might have been preferable, there was no concrete evidence to suggest that Hamilton had infringed upon any applicable racing regulations. Consequently, no penalty was imposed.

Hamilton's Practice Performance Not Affected by Incident

In the overall standings for the final free practice session, Lewis Hamilton secured the eighth position, trailing Max Verstappen's leading time by 0.411 seconds. The red flag incident and subsequent investigation did not significantly impact his session results.

In a significant setback for the Williams Formula 1 team, both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz have been retroactively removed from the qualifying results of the Singapore Grand Prix. This decision follows a technical violation involving the Drag Reduction System (DRS) on their cars, meaning they will commence Sunday's race from the rear of the grid.

During the post-qualifying inspection by the FIA technical delegate, Jo Bauer, it was discovered that the DRS on both Williams cars exceeded the maximum permissible opening of 85mm. Despite internal team checks prior to the session indicating compliance, the FIA's measurements revealed the discrepancy. The team, through its principal James Vowles, accepted the findings and the imposed penalty, acknowledging that the rear wings did not meet the required technical specifications.

This incident draws parallels with a similar scenario involving both Haas cars at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, where a comparable DRS infringement led to their disqualification from qualifying and subsequent relegation to the back of the field. Such technical breaches, even if unintentional, carry a standard penalty in Formula 1 regulations, highlighting the strict adherence required to vehicle specifications.

Team Principal James Vowles conveyed his team's disappointment at the outcome. He emphasized that the infringement was not a deliberate attempt to gain a performance advantage and that their own pre-qualifying assessments had shown the components to be within the permitted tolerances. However, Vowles affirmed full acceptance of the FIA's decision and committed to an immediate review of the team's internal procedures to prevent future occurrences. Despite starting from the rear, Williams remains determined to strive for a points finish in the upcoming race.

The disqualification will undoubtedly make Sunday's race a challenging one for Albon and Sainz. Starting at the back on the demanding Marina Bay Street Circuit means they will face an uphill battle to make progress through the field. The team's focus will now shift to strategic planning and driver performance to salvage as many positions as possible and demonstrate their car's potential under difficult circumstances.

This event underscores the relentless technical scrutiny in Formula 1 and the critical importance of even the smallest details in car design and setup. The Williams team, while accepting the consequences, will be working diligently to understand the root cause of the error and implement corrective measures to ensure such issues do not recur in future competitions, as they aim to demonstrate their competitive spirit and secure valuable championship points.