Hamilton's 22-Second Ferrari Rev Sparks Start Debate as Brundle Calls for FIA Action

A video of Lewis Hamilton revving his Ferrari for 22 seconds during a practice start has ignited debate over potential gamesmanship, coinciding with renewed safety concerns about race starts for the 2026 season. Technical expert Sam Collins suggested the lengthy rev could have been intentional, while commentator Alex Brundle urged the FIA to intervene to prevent dangerous grid stalls.

Why it matters:

The controversy touches on two critical and interlinked issues: competitive fairness and driver safety. With the F1 Commission set to analyze the race start procedure, Hamilton's actions—whether a routine check or a strategic display—have amplified scrutiny on Ferrari's start system, which rival George Russell recently highlighted. Simultaneously, Brundle's warning underscores that stalled cars on a packed grid remain a severe safety risk that the sport must address before the new engine regulations in 2026.

The details:

• The viral clip shows Hamilton holding his Ferrari at high revs for an unusually long 22 seconds during a practice start in Bahrain, a procedure typically much shorter.
• F1 technical analyst Sam Collins, who observed the incident, speculated Hamilton "might have done" it deliberately, potentially to showcase or test the car's start capability amid the ongoing technical debate.
• This occurs against a backdrop where Mercedes' George Russell has pointedly commented on Ferrari's race starts, putting the Scuderia's launch system in the spotlight.
• Separately, Alex Brundle described stalling on the grid as "one of the scariest things in racing" and called for the FIA to "step in" to mandate changes, fearing the problem could worsen with the 2026 power units.

The big picture:

The start procedure debate is part of a broader wave of technical unrest in the paddock. Rival manufacturers are reportedly pushing for a new engine test to counter a perceived Mercedes advantage related to compression ratios at high temperatures. While Red Bull has denied switching sides in that dispute, insisting it only seeks a "fair" field, Alpine has warned that forcing a mid-cycle rule change could set a dangerous precedent, opening a "can of worms" for future regulations.

What's next:

All eyes are on the F1 Commission's upcoming analysis of the race start procedure. Any potential rule changes or clarifications could emerge before the Australian Grand Prix. Furthermore, the resolution of the engine compression ratio debate will signal how the FIA handles technical disputes under the new 2026 regulations, with implications for competitive balance and regulatory stability for seasons to come.