In a rapid turn of events at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton dodges any penalties when Alex Albon retracts his initial fiery allegation, “f***ing dangerous,” following an on-track incident during FP2.
During the practice session, with just under 50 minutes left, Hamilton found himself under scrutiny. His car was noted to have obstructed Albon on the high-speed Turn 18 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. This newly built street track, known for its speedy turns and concrete walls, demands precise communication between drivers and their teams to avoid mishaps.
Initially, Albon, while on a hot lap with his Williams, encountered a sluggish moving Hamilton. As he approached Turn 18, he had to make a quick move to avoid a potential collision. In the heat of the moment, Albon vented over the radio, labeling the maneuver as “f***ing dangerous.”
The FIA promptly noted the incident, but an ensuing investigation revealed no basis for further action. Albon, after watching the replays, admitted that his immediate reaction was overstated and agreed that the situation was not dangerous as he initially thought.
The decision was a relief to Hamilton, who has been adjusting to his new role at Ferrari. An FIA statement clarified, “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), the driver of Car 23 (Alexander Albon), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence.” The review confirmed that Hamilton’s car did unnecessarily impede Albon’s, but not in a manner deemed dangerous.
Albon admitted during the hearing that although Hamilton was an unexpected obstacle at Turn 17, he felt he had control over his car the entire time and didn’t consider the scenario dangerous on reflection. His initial shock due to Hamilton’s position on the track led to his comment, which he later retracted, leading to the FIA deciding on no further action.
Meanwhile, the practice sessions have been unpredictable, with fluctuating standings. In FP1, Albon secured a fifth place, while Hamilton finished eighth. FP2 ended with Albon in tenth and Hamilton in thirteenth place. Notably, Lando Norris led the session. This weekend continues to keep teams and drivers on their toes.
The weekend has been a whirlwind for Formula 1 fans, with the Hamilton-Albon incident adding another layer of drama. However, with no penalties issued, both drivers can now focus on the upcoming races at the Saudi Arabian GP.
