Lewis Hamilton at Risk of Brazilian GP Grid Drop After Sprint Qualifying Infringement

Lewis Hamilton faces a potential grid drop after being summoned to the stewards for allegedly failing to slow under double-waved yellow flags during Sprint Qualifying at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. This incident occurred late in SQ2, impacting his performance and raising concerns about his starting position for the Sprint race.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's potential penalty could significantly impact his Sprint race performance and overall weekend trajectory at the Brazilian GP. Given his consistent struggle to secure strong qualifying positions this season, a grid drop would further complicate his efforts to score crucial points and challenge the frontrunners.

The Details:

• Incident: Hamilton was summoned for a yellow flag infringement after allegedly failing to slow down under double-waved yellow flags during the dying moments of SQ2.
• Origin of Yellow Flags: The double-waved yellow flags were triggered by his teammate Charles Leclerc, who spun his Ferrari at Bico de Pato.
• Hamilton's Context: Running ahead of Leclerc, Hamilton reportedly accelerated through the sector while still under yellow flags, likely in an attempt to cross the finish line before the clock expired, a goal he ultimately failed to achieve.
• Steward's Summons: Officials cited both the International Sporting Code and Formula 1's sporting regulations for "Failing to slow under double waved yellow flags."
• Qualifying Result: Hamilton was eliminated from Sprint Qualifying in SQ2, finishing 11th, just 0.07s shy of advancing to SQ3.
• Leclerc's Performance: Despite his spin, Leclerc managed to progress to SQ3 and secured the eighth-fastest time, highlighting Ferrari's challenging session overall.

The big picture:

This incident adds to Ferrari's difficult Sprint Qualifying session, as both drivers struggled to match the pace of competitors like McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. A grid penalty for Hamilton would exacerbate the team's weekend challenges and potentially open up more opportunities for rivals in the Sprint race.

What's next:

Should Hamilton be found guilty of failing to slow under double-waved yellow flags, he faces a 10-place grid penalty for the Sprint race, as outlined in the Penalty Guidelines issued to stewards. The outcome of the stewards' investigation will determine his starting position for the Sprint, which could dramatically alter his race strategy and aspirations for points.