Hamilton confirms driver talks after scary near-miss

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he will raise a scary closing-speed incident with Liam Lawson at the next drivers' briefing after the pair were involved in a near-miss during second practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver was on a slow lap through Baku's final sector when Lawson, on a flying lap in his Racing Bulls, caught him far faster than expected.

Why it matters:

The incident highlights a growing safety concern: the massive power difference between cars on push laps and those cruising on out-laps. With no clear FIA guidelines on required gaps, drivers are left to estimate closing speeds, a dangerous grey area on street circuits.

The details:

• Hamilton received a reprimand from stewards. He finished P5, while Lawson was P12.
• The gap vanished: Hamilton said he was four seconds ahead entering the final corner, but his Ferrari's power dropped off into Turn 18 and Lawson "swamped up the gap massively."
• No data: Hamilton argued FIA rules don't give drivers simulations or data to know a safe gap when their car has 500bhp less than the one behind.
• Proposed fix: He suggests Turns 18 and 19 should be taken flat-out by every car, even on slow laps, with power resetting after Turn 19 to end slow driving through that section.

What's next:

Hamilton will bring the topic up in the drivers' briefing and has already suggested the Turn 18-19 solution to the FIA. With qualifying approaching, drivers will be watching for any immediate guidance to prevent a repeat.