Hamilton has been heavily fined! I’m very sorry, I realize what I did, he says

Lewis Hamilton has certainly not had a good race weekend. In the sprint race he worked his way up from twelfth place at the start to fifth place, but the race ended for him at the first corner. And he leaves Qatar with a heavy penalty.

How would the Qatar Grand Prix have ended if both Mercedes drivers had continued? We won’t know now, but George Russell, after a wild start and a drop to eighteenth place, not only managed to return to the race, but thanks to a very good pace, he fought his way up to fourth place.

Russell actually started the Qatar Grand Prix from second place, with his teammate Lewis Hamilton on the grid at number three.

Given the starting positions, Mercedes had high expectations for the seventeenth race of the season, but in the end all hopes of a podium finish were dashed at the first corner.

Hamilton closed the inside track too much in an attempt to overtake his teammate and Russell shot him off the track as a result. While Russell pitted and was able to continue, it was an immediate end for Hamilton.

This collision ultimately went unpunished as the sports commissioners deemed it a typical racing incident. Hamilton, however, took full responsibility, apologised profusely to everyone and said that Russell had nowhere to move at the time of contact.

The penalty was split into two parts

However, the seven-time world champion did something he definitely shouldn’t have done after the accident. Hamilton actually ran across the track to get back to the pits as quickly as possible.

Hamilton apologised for this too, realising that the situation was very dangerous. And not just for him, but for the other drivers as well. Moreover, a few moments after Hamilton reached the other side of the track, the Briton Russell rushed up behind him.

The 38-year-old experienced driver was cautioned for his action and fined 50,000 euros. According to F1’s official statement, the fine is split in two, with Hamilton having to pay 25,000 unconditionally.

However, the other part will be forgiven if he does not repeat the same thing before the end of this season.

Source: F1, Sky Sports, Twitter / X