FIA officially DEMOTED Lewis Hamilton After C…read more.
In a dramatic turn of events following the Singapore Grand Prix, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has been officially demoted in the race results after receiving a post-race penalty from the stewards. The FIA confirmed late Sunday night that the Ferrari star was sanctioned for a rules infraction that occurred during the closing laps of the race, altering the final classification and stirring fresh debate over the sport’s strict regulatory framework.
Hamilton, who had finished in the points after an intense race around the challenging Marina Bay Street Circuit, was handed a five-second time penalty for gaining an advantage off-track while defending his position. The decision came after a thorough review by race control and post-race analysis of telemetry and onboard footage. As a result, Hamilton dropped one position in the final standings, costing him valuable points in both the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ battle for Ferrari.
The British driver, who joined Ferrari this season after more than a decade with Mercedes, had been looking to secure another strong finish in what has been a mixed debut year with the Scuderia. His pace throughout the Singapore weekend was competitive, with Hamilton showing flashes of his trademark aggression and precision on one of the toughest circuits on the F1 calendar. However, the penalty marked another frustrating outcome in a season that has seen him repeatedly battling both the car’s limitations and the stewards’ decisions.
Speaking after the race, Hamilton maintained that his actions were within fair racing boundaries, but he accepted the stewards’ ruling with composure. “I gave everything out there,” Hamilton said. “The conditions were tricky, and everyone was pushing to the limit. I didn’t feel I gained an advantage, but I respect the decision. We’ll regroup and focus on the next race.”
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur expressed mild disappointment but refrained from criticizing the FIA, noting that the decision was “part of racing.” He added, “We were very happy with Lewis’s performance. The car was strong, and both drivers executed well. The penalty is unfortunate, but we’ll take the positives and move forward.”
The penalty has minor but notable implications for the championship standings. While Hamilton remains within reach of the top five in the Drivers’ standings, Ferrari continues to chase down Red Bull and McLaren in the Constructors’ table. Every point is critical as the season enters its final stretch, with upcoming races in Japan and Qatar expected to test both drivers and engineers.
For Hamilton, the setback serves as another reminder of how fine the margins are in Formula 1 especially on street circuits like Singapore, where a small misjudgment can have major consequences. Yet despite the frustration, the seven-time world champion’s resilience remains intact. As the season continues, Hamilton and Ferrari will be determined to convert their flashes of potential into consistent podium finishes and perhaps, before the year ends, a long-awaited victory together.
