FIA confirms Lewis Hamilton Penalty for Five Seconds …read more.
Lewis Hamilton has received a five-second time penalty for “leaving the track without a justifiable reason, multiple times” during the Singapore Grand Prix, resulting in the Ferrari driver being classified eighth instead of seventh in the final standings.
The FIA stewards issued the penalty after reviewing footage that showed Hamilton exceeding track limits on several occasions throughout the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The ruling stated that Hamilton “left the track and gained an advantage” and failed to demonstrate sufficient effort to stay within the white lines marking the circuit boundaries.
The decision was made after post-race analysis and interviews with the driver and team representatives. As a result, Hamilton’s race time was adjusted, promoting Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll to seventh place in the final classification.
“Car 44 repeatedly left the track without a justifiable reason,” the stewards noted in their report. “The driver did not make a clear effort to stay within the confines of the track and was therefore deemed to have gained a lasting advantage.”
Hamilton, who was competing in his first season with Ferrari, had shown solid pace during the race but faced challenges managing tyre wear and grip on the demanding street circuit. The Marina Bay layout, known for its narrow corners and low visibility, has historically been one of the toughest venues for maintaining consistent track discipline.
Speaking after the ruling, Hamilton accepted the penalty calmly, saying, “It’s always frustrating to lose a position after the flag, but I understand the decision. It’s tricky out there you’re always pushing the limits, especially in Singapore where the margins are so fine. We’ll learn from it and move forward.”
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur also commented briefly on the decision, stating, “We respect the stewards’ findings. Lewis drove a strong race, and while it’s disappointing to lose a position, we’ll focus on improving for the next round.”
The penalty cost Hamilton two championship points, a minor but notable setback as Ferrari continues to chase McLaren and Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. The team had brought several small upgrades to Singapore, which showed promise in qualifying, but struggled to convert them into a significant race-day advantage.
The FIA has been increasingly strict with track limit enforcement this season, aiming for consistency across circuits. Several drivers, including Hamilton, have previously voiced concerns about how difficult it can be to stay within limits at certain venues, especially street circuits like Marina Bay where curbs and walls leave little room for error.
Despite the penalty, Hamilton’s eighth-place finish added more points to Ferrari’s tally and extended his streak of consistent top-ten finishes. The focus now shifts to the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, where Hamilton and Ferrari will look to regain momentum and build on the team’s solid form in recent races.
Final Result:
P7 – Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
P8 – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
