FIA ‘revisiting’ Lewis Hamilton track-crossing incident in Qatar

Formula One’s governing body is reviewing the punishment handed out to Lewis Hamilton for crossing a live track without permission during last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, amid concerns the punishment was not harsh enough.

The seven-time world champion collided with Mercedes teammate George Russell at the first corner at Lusail, abandoning his car in the gravel and crossing the track back into the pit lane.

The Briton was reprimanded and fined 50,000 euros ($52,545), 25,000 of which was suspended for the rest of the season provided he does not reoffend.

The governing body said on Sunday it was “reviewing” the incident.

“The FIA ​​notes that Lewis apologized at the stewards’ subsequent hearing into the incident and acknowledged that the crossing constituted a serious safety breach,” a statement said.

“However, given his role model status, the FIA ​​is concerned about the impression his actions may have created on young drivers.”

The stewards’ report at the time stated that Hamilton had reached the inside edge of the track just seconds before Russell arrived at high speed after exiting the pits.

“During the hearing, the driver of car 44 (Hamilton) apologized and realized that the situation could have been very dangerous for him as well as for the approaching drivers,” they said. added.

The governing body will likely want to set clearer guidelines and stricter penalties for such violation in the future.

The move also follows an incident at the World Karting Championships in Italy last weekend, in which Briton Joe Turney injured his leg after he pushed his kart back onto the track and was hit by a rival.

Crossing a track under tension while cars are traveling at high speed is very dangerous.

In 1977, British Formula One driver Tom Pryce died at the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami after his car hit and killed an unseen firefighter who was crossing the track without permission.