Lewis Hamilton’s pit‑stop at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix ended with a mechanic being struck by the car, prompting a 30,000‑euro fine for Ferrari over an unsafe release.
Breakdown of the Incident
During a safety‑car period on lap 20, Hamilton stopped in the pits for a single tyre change and a five‑second penalty for first‑lap contact with George Russell. A Ferrari crew member, unaware that the car had already received the green light from the race control, was hit by the right‑front side as the car departed the pit box and fell to the floor.
Ferrari confirmed the mechanic was fine and suffered no injuries, but the safety breach required a review of pit‑crew communication and procedures.
FIA Steward Decision
The stewards decided a sporting penalty was not needed because Hamilton stopped immediately and lost time, but deemed a monetary penalty justified for the unsafe release.
They imposed a 30,000‑euro fine, 10,000 of which will be suspended for 12 months, contingent on Ferrari submitting a report within 14 days detailing steps to avoid a recurrence.
Team’s Response and Historical Echoes
Ferrari acknowledged the incident stemmed from a late instruction for a wing adjustment, poor communication, and the mechanic’s lack of awareness of the green light. The team pledged a comprehensive review of pit‑stop protocols.
Hamilton reflected on the event, noting the similarity to the Kimi Raikkonen incident in 2018 when a mechanic was injured during the Bahrain Grand Prix, and expressed relief that the craftsman emerged unharmed.
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