Davidson: Hamilton's Madrid FP3 actions set a bad example for junior drivers

Anthony Davidson believes Lewis Hamilton's behavior after his FP3 crash in Madrid sent the wrong message to junior drivers, as the Ferrari driver continued driving a badly damaged car despite repeated instructions to stop.

Why it matters:

The rules about stopping a damaged car are not just bureaucratic. A loose front wing can cause serious accidents, especially with marshals working nearby. Hamilton's decision to try to return to the pits instead of stopping immediately put himself and track workers at risk, and Davidson argued it sets a poor example for young drivers watching at home.

The Details:

• Hamilton crashed at the final corner during FP3, causing a red flag. He reversed away from the wall and drove back onto the track with a puncture and the front wing lodged under the car.
• His race engineer told him multiple times to stop in a safe place. Hamilton only pulled over at the exit of Turn 14 after being told the race director had issued direct instructions.
• Davidson on Sky Sports: "The team need to give him more information. They need to say the front wing is under your car and the race director is going to give us a penalty over this."
• He added: "Any young driver that is watching this right now, you don't do that. That rule is there for a reason. If it went under the car completely and jacked your front wheels up and there were marshals on the track, you've got to think of all these scenarios."

What's next:

The FIA has not yet announced whether Hamilton will face a penalty. He could receive a fine or a sporting sanction. The session resumed after the red flag, with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli setting the fastest lap. Hamilton finished the session ninth.