The FIA stewards fined Ferrari €10,000 (£8,500) and issued Lewis Hamilton a formal warning for impeding Gabriel Bortoleto during practice.
The Audi driver had to take avoiding action after Hamilton pulled onto the racing line in front of him at turn nine during the second practice session.Hamilton pointed out his right-hand wing mirror was broken. The stewards accepted this explanation in mitigation but also noted Ferrari failed to warn their driver that Bortoleto was approaching.
“[Hamilton] was travelling slowly approaching turn nine at approximately 80-85 kph when [Bortoleto], who was on an out lap and not on a push lap, approached from behind at approximately 240 kph, resulting in a closing speed of approximately 155-160 kph,” the stewards noted.
“Hamilton moved from the middle of the track towards the racing line, at the end of the straight causing Bortoleto to brake and take evasive action.
“The stewards accept that Hamilton’s right-hand mirror was damaged, as confirmed by photographic and video evidence, and that he had received no radio warning from the team. Both team representatives stated that such warnings are not normally issued where the approaching car is not on a push lap. Bortoleto also confirmed that he remained in control of the situation.
“Nevertheless, the stewards considered that Hamilton unnecessarily impeded the significantly faster approaching car by moving onto the racing line at slow speed. The fact that Bortoleto was not on a push lap does not alter that conclusion.”
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The stewards noted the significant speed difference between the two cars made the incident particularly concerning.
“The stewards also considered whether the incident should be regarded as dangerous impeding. In particular, they considered the high closing speed as well as the fact that a driver, who is aware that one of his mirrors is damaged, should exercise additional care before moving onto the racing line. However, Bortoleto remained in control and was able to avoid Hamilton.
“The stewards considered the damaged mirror and the fact that Bortoleto was not on a push lap as mitigating circumstances. These were balanced against the significant speed differential, Hamilton’s movement onto the racing line and the resulting need for Bortoleto to take evasive action.
“Taking all the above into account, the stewards determine that the standard penalty for impeding during a practice session, which is a Warning, is appropriate.
“The stewards also considered the responsibility of Scuderia Ferrari HP in relation to this incident.
“The team was aware that Hamilton’s right-hand mirror was damaged. As such, the stewards determine that the team should have provided appropriate radio warnings of significantly faster approaching cars, irrespective of whether those cars were on a push lap or not.
“The stewards therefore determine that the team failed to provide its driver with appropriate information in circumstances where it knew that his ability to observe approaching traffic was materially impaired by the damaged mirror and impose a fine of €10,000 on Scuderia Ferrari HP.”
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