Lewis Hamilton loses P2 following Qualifying incident with Oscar Piastri at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has received a three-place grid penalty for the Hungarian Grand Prix after he impeded Oscar Piastri during Qualifying, with the Briton originally claiming P2 during the session.
As the top-10 drivers prepared for their final laps, Ferrari looked to be in direct competition with McLaren’s Lando Norris for pole position, and it was Hamilton who provisionally took the top spot.
However, Norris found the time he needed to qualify P1 for the first time this season, relegating the 41-year-old to second place before it was then revealed that Hamilton would be investigated after Qualifying.
The incident unfolded as Piastri was trying to improve on his last attempt, which Hamilton was unaware of. He blocked the Australian at Turn 1, forcing him to go over track limits, abort his lap and settle for P5.
Hamilton admitted straight after Qualifying: “I think my mind is just elsewhere right this second, because once I’d finished my lap, I don’t know if I got in the way of someone, so I’m just trying to run that through my mind, because I wasn’t aware anyone was coming.”
It was confirmed that he would be penalised with a grid drop, relegating him to P5 on the grid and promoting Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli and Piastri by one position each.
The document released after the hearing reads: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), the driver of Car 81 (Oscar Piastri), team representatives and reviewed video, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence.
“At the approach to Turn 1, Car 44 was travelling at a significantly reduced speed on the racing line while Car 81 was approaching on a push lap.
“The driver of Car 44 explained that he had just completed a fast lap and did not receive the team’s radio message regarding the approaching Car 81 until the latter was already in close proximity. He further stated that, due to the positioning of his car on the track, Car 81 was not visible in his mirrors.
“Car 81, which was on a push lap, was forced to take avoiding action by running wide and being obliged to abort the lap.
“Having examined the available evidence, the Stewards determined that Car 44 unnecessarily impeded Car 81 during Qualifying.
“In accordance with the FIA F1 Regulations and the established penalty guidelines for this type of infringement in Qualifying, the Stewards impose a three-place grid penalty on the driver of Car 44.”
