Hamilton avoids F1 grid penalty after double investigations

The stewards decided to take no further action for the incident after Hamilton's "on-board video clearly shows there was no yellow flag displayed, no yellow lights were displayed to that driver and the yellow warning light was not visible on the driver's steering wheel." 

FIA race director Michael Masi reported to the stewards that the double yellow flag warning on the FIA marshalling system was activated "accidentally" and "for less than one second". 

The stewards verdict noted that "unlike other incidents this year, there was no yellow flag or yellow light displayed to the driver (the driver already being well into the marshalling sector when the system was briefly activated) hence no breach of the regulations has occurred." 

Hamilton has recieved a reprimand for impeding Haas driver Nikita Mazepin in FP3, while his Mercedes team has been fined €25,000 fine for the incident. 

"The driver was given a 10 second warning that Car 9 was approaching when he was at Turn 2. Due to a failure in communication by the Team he was not given another warning until Car 9 was alongside him," the stewards' report read. 

"The Stewards accept that this circuit presents challenges for drivers in relation to using their mirrors as the method of determining the approach of overtaking cars.

"Although it is the driver’s ultimate responsibility to avoid impeding, for this circuit the driver must depend upon the Team to communicate efficiently. This did not happen in this case and accordingly the penalty for the Competitor is imposed.

"The Stewards take this opportunity to emphasise that due to the nature of this circuit it is essential that teams communicate effectively and proactively with their drivers.

"This is not to be taken as a precedent for other circuits."