Hamilton fined for seat belt infringement, keeps Brazil F1 win

Hamilton has also recieved an additional €20,000 fine which is suspended until the end of 2022. 

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told media after the race that the team was “going to the stewards because Lewis has undone his belts on the last lap”. 

This was confirmed shortly afterwards by an FIA bulletin which has called a Mercedes team representative to report to the stewards at 5pm local time (8pm GMT) in Brazil for an “alleged breach of Appendix L Chapter III Article 4 of the FIA International Sporting Code (use of safety belts).” 

This regulation states: "Drivers must be properly restrained in their seat by safety belts in conformity with the technical regulations for the vehicle concerned, at all times during a competition when it is mobile on a circuit, pit lane, special stage or competition course."

"The driver of car 44, Lewis Hamilton, undid his seat belts on the in-lap at the end of the race," the stewards' report said. "While the Stewards are sympathetic to the desire to celebrate, it is fundamentally unsafe to undo the seatbelts while the car is in motion. 

"Slow speeds in these cars are very fast for an unrestrained occupant. Further, Formula 1 drivers set the example for junior categories. It is critical that junior category drivers learn the importance of using all the safety devices of the car at all times." 

The suspension of the penalty is subject to compliance with Appendix L, Ch. III of the ISC during the period specified.

During last year's Spanish Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc drove for a short period with his seat belts disconnected, but that incident was not investigated. 

It comes after Hamilton charged from 10th on the grid and overtook title rival Max Verstappen in the closing stages to claim a remarkable victory at Interlagos. 

Hamilton's win has cut Verstappen's lead in the drivers' standings down to 14 points heading into the final three races of the year. 

It is the second time this weekend Hamilton has been summoned to see the stewards, following an investigation into a technical infringement on the rear wing of his Mercedes. 

That resulted in Hamilton being thrown out of Friday's qualifying results and forced to start Saturday's sprint from 20th.