Ferrari has been called to the Formula 1 stewards’ office after Lewis Hamilton’s pit‑box release at the Belgian Grand Prix collided with a pit‑lane mechanic.
Incident During the VSC Pit Stop
During lap 20, under the virtual safety car, Hamilton left his box while the front‑wing adjustment tool was still in the mechanic’s grasp. The front of Hamilton’s car struck the tool operator, forcing the mechanic to the ground, but no injuries were reported. The collision left the front‑wing angle unadjusted, which caused Hamilton tight steering and sluggish front‑end handling after the team switched from medium to hard tyres.
It was one of the strongest gaps in the race, enabling Hamilton to lap and cut Oscar Piastri from fourth, though the durability of that position is still uncertain.
Stewards’ Penalty Decision
Earlier, the stewards had imposed a five‑second penalty on Hamilton for the opening‑lap clash with George Russell that led to the latter’s retirement. In their report, the panel noted that Hamilton had core racing room on the outside of Russell, while the Mercedes driver struggled with understeer and was unable to stay separated. They ruled the contact “caused by a loss of front‑end grip” and, given the opening‑lap context of reduced grip, decided a five‑second penalty was fitting rather than the standard ten‑second penalty.
Impact on Hamilton’s Race
The unadjusted wing and the penalty meant Hamilton had to recover the gap at every opportunity. Despite front‑end issues, he capitalised on his longer stint to challenge for a podium, moving into fourth at the end of the race. Meanwhile, the stewards’ inquiry into the pit‑gate release will determine whether Ferrari will face further sanctions.
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