Hamilton at risk after stewards call over alleged qualifying impeding in Montreal

Hamilton was called to the stewards together with a Ferrari representative following an alleged impeding incident involving Gasly at Turn 8 during qualifying. According to the FIA, Car 44 is under investigation for a possible breach of Article B4.1.1 of the Sporting Regulations after allegedly obstructing Car 10 at 16:04 local time during the session.

The Briton is set to appear before the stewards at 11:20pm BST, with his fifth-place result now potentially under threat pending the outcome of the investigation.

In addition to Hamilton, Sergio Perez has also been summoned by the stewards following qualifying in Montreal. The Mexican is being investigated for an alleged breach of Article 12.2.1.i of the International Sporting Code, as well as for failing to comply with the Race Director’s Competition Notes.

The list of post-qualifying summons did not end there, as Lance Stroll was also called to the stewards following an alleged unsafe release during the session. According to the FIA, Car 18 is under investigation for a potential breach of Article B1.6.2b.i of the regulations after being released in an unsafe condition at 16:00 local time.

Ferrari had looked on course for a strong qualifying result, yet fifth and eighth place ultimately left both the drivers and the tifosi disappointed. Hamilton at least managed to secure a second-row start, while Charles Leclerc could do no better than fourth row after a frustrating session for the Scuderia.

Both Ferrari drivers looked very competitive through the first and second sectors, only to lose almost all of their advantage in the final sector, particularly along the two long straights. It once again highlighted how competitive the SF-26 appears from both a chassis and aerodynamic standpoint, while also exposing the remaining deficit of Ferrari’s power unit compared to the Mercedes benchmark.

Despite ultimately missing out on the very front positions, Hamilton still came away from qualifying feeling encouraged by Ferrari’s overall progress in Montreal. Speaking to GPBlog after the session, the Briton explained that the changes made to the SF-26 throughout qualifying had left him far more comfortable behind the wheel, with the car improving run after run as the session unfolded.

Hamilton also admitted he felt there was still more pace available than the final result suggested, believing the inability to complete his final flying lap likely denied him the opportunity to challenge for an even stronger grid position: “It felt great, we made some good changes in qualifying. I was hopeful for a better result but didn't get my last lap. The car was feeling like we were improving and I think honestly if I got that last lap I probably could have been a bit better.”