Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has strongly criticized the five-second time penalty issued to Lewis Hamilton following his collision with George Russell at the recent Belgian Grand Prix. Vasseur explicitly labeled the stewards’ decision as ‘garbage’ in his post-race comments.
The incident occurred on the opening lap of the Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Hamilton made contact with Russell, resulting in the Mercedes driver spinning into the gravel and retiring from the race.
Stewards determined Hamilton was at fault for the collision. They concluded that Russell had established sufficient overlap and was entitled to racing room, which Hamilton failed to provide.
Vasseur argued that Russell had ample space on the left side of the track to avoid contact. He also highlighted a perceived inconsistency, noting that similar Lap 1 incidents earlier in the season had gone unpunished.
Hamilton himself considered the clash a racing incident and expressed his disagreement with the penalty. Russell also stated he believed it was a racing incident and that Hamilton did not act recklessly.
This penalty was not the only sanction Hamilton faced recently. At the British Grand Prix on July 5, he received a five-second penalty for a false start.
Vasseur had also described that false start penalty as ‘a bit harsh.’ He noted that Ferrari’s sensors did not register any car movement, despite video evidence showing slight tire rotation.
Furthermore, at the Belgian Grand Prix, Ferrari was fined €30,000 for an unsafe pit-stop release involving Hamilton and a mechanic. Hamilton avoided a further sporting penalty for this incident.
Vasseur defended Hamilton in that instance as well, explaining that confusion arose from a double pitstop and a last-minute front wing adjustment. He stated Hamilton was not at fault for the procedural error.
The Ferrari team principal’s consistent questioning of penalty decisions underscores ongoing concerns within the paddock regarding the application of sporting regulations. These remarks contribute to the broader discussion on stewarding consistency in Formula 1.
