OFFICIAL: FIA delivers verdict in Hamilton yellow flag investigation after British GP

Photo: Race Pictures

Updated: 20:29, 05 Jul

Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.

The FIA has cleared Lewis Hamilton following its investigation into an alleged yellow flag infringement. The seven-time world champion reportedly received a reprimand, which means he should retain the third-place finish he secured at the British Grand Prix.

The Briton had already received a five-second penalty during the race for a false start, which he served at his pit stop and which dropped him behind George Russell and Max Verstappen.

Hamilton was later investigated for a yellow flag infringement, but on this occasion the stewards reportedly took no further action beyond issuing a reprimand. The home favourite therefore should retain third place, allowing Ferrari to celebrate with both cars on the podium.

Hamilton retains British GP podium

Photo: Race Pictures

Read also

In a lengthy FIA statement, the decision to only reprimand Hamilton read as follows: "The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), the team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry and in-car video evidence.

"HAM entered the relevant sector before any yellow flag or yellow light panel was displayed, with no such indication present before Turn 9. The first light panel encountered after Turn 9 was displaying green immediately before Turn 10. The yellow indication on the steering wheel display only appeared once the driver was already on the straight towards Turn 10 and close to the end of the yellow flag zone.

"The evidence showed that there was no yellow light panel warning within the driver’s immediate field of vision and that the yellow indication on the steering wheel display remained visible for only a very short period. The Stewards were therefore satisfied that the time available for the driver to react to the yellow flag indication was very limited.

"The Stewards also accept that, immediately prior to entering the sector, HAM had been involved in an overtaking manoeuvre with VER and that the driver was expecting a counter attack. As a result, his attention remained directed to his mirrors for most of the straight towards Turn 10, rather than immediately towards the green light panel at the end of the sector. The Stewards took this into account when considering whether the visibility of the green light panel should itself have made it clear to the driver that he was still within a yellow flag zone.

"The Stewards nevertheless determine that, after the yellow had been displayed on the steering wheel display and the green light panel was illuminated immediately before Turn 10, HAM did not make a discernible reduction of speed and therefore did not fully comply with the requirements applicable under a single yellow flag.

"In determining the penalty, the Stewards took into account that HAM had entered the sector before the yellow was shown, that the yellow indication reached the driver only when he was already near the end of the sector, that the time and distance available to react were very limited, and that the driver’s attention had, for understandable reasons, been occupied by the immediately preceding battle with another car. In those circumstances, the Stewards considered that a Reprimand was the appropriate penalty."

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	179
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	154
3	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	147
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	108
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	97
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	82
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	76
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	52
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	42
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	39
11	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	20
12	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
13	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	18
14	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	6
15	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
16	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
17	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
18	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
21	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

OFFICIAL: FIA delivers verdict in Hamilton yellow flag investigation after British GP

Hamilton retains British GP podium

Read also

Read also

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

FIA issues official explanation after British GP Safety Car confusion

Verstappen’s management and Red Bull leadership in talks after Max’s race retirement

Verstappen’s manager confirms Max’s future plans after turbulent weeks full of rumours

F1 Today | FIA takes action amid Belgian GP concerns, as Verstappen issues Spa warning

McLaren told to 'grow up' and build its own F1 engine over Mercedes power unit concerns

Wolff warns Mercedes 'cannot afford' more dropped points in F1 title fight with Ferrari

Honda finally confirm Aston Martin engine upgrade timeline ahead of Belgian GP

Verstappen and Antonelli called up by FIA ahead of Belgian GP with Hamilton absent

Why Middle East turmoil gives F1 the perfect chance to make Europe its main hub again

Antonelli poses as "Peter Bonnington Jr" in latest Mercedes prank

Verstappen’s manager confirms Max’s future plans after turbulent weeks full of rumours

F1 Today | FIA takes action amid Belgian GP concerns, as Verstappen issues Spa warning

McLaren told to 'grow up' and build its own F1 engine over Mercedes power unit concerns

Wolff warns Mercedes 'cannot afford' more dropped points in F1 title fight with Ferrari

Popular on GPBlog

Verstappen and Antonelli called up by FIA ahead of Belgian GP with Hamilton absent

FIA implement key measure ahead of feared Belgian Grand Prix weekend

F1 LIVE | Reactions to 'Verstappen to McLaren' rumours in F1

Honda finally confirm Aston Martin engine upgrade timeline ahead of Belgian GP

Season

FIA issues official explanation after British GP Safety Car confusion

Verstappen’s management and Red Bull leadership in talks after Max’s race retirement