Hamilton blames F1 rules for Lawson near-miss in Baku

Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1's energy-management rules, not driver error, caused his near-collision with Liam Lawson in Thursday's Baku practice. The Ferrari driver was on an out-lap and harvesting energy when Lawson arrived at full speed, forcing the Racing Bulls driver to take evasive action and triggering a stewards' investigation.

Why it matters:

F1's 2026 power-unit rules create huge speed gaps between cars in different battery modes, and Baku's layout amplifies the risk. The incident could push drivers and the FIA to change deployment guidelines.

The details:

• Hamilton said that on an out-lap, a driver has no battery deployment — 'K' — when approaching the final corner, leaving only the ICE and roughly 500bhp less than a flying-lap car.
• He thought a four-second gap was enough, but with no guidelines on closing speed, the gap vanished faster than expected once he got on the power through Turn 18.
• Lawson's radio message was blunt: "Oh my god, that is so dangerous." Both drivers were summoned to the stewards.
• Hamilton's defence: "That's not the drivers' fault. That's what the FIA did with the decisions at the beginning of the year."
• He proposed that cars get maximum power through sections where slowing is prohibited, even on out-laps, so no one becomes a slow-moving obstacle.

What's next:

The incident will be discussed in the drivers' briefing, with Hamilton hopeful of a solution before qualifying. He acknowledged the stewards' difficult job, but noted it was practice and nobody's weekend was ruined. "Hopefully they've understood and we'll work together to make sure this doesn't happen again."