The 2023 Qatar GP saw Lewis Hamilton get fined a sum of $50,000 (approx.) by the FIA after his lap 1 DNF. But according to ex-F1 manager and expert Peter Windsor, the sport’s governing body took a lenient view of Hamilton’s transgressions in the aftermath of his coming together with teammate George Russell into turn 1, despite it being a serious violation of the rules and safety standards, during his YouTube livestream.
After he deserted his stricken W14 at the gravel trap, the 7x champion chose to take a shortcut and seemingly crossed the racing track while the Grand Prix was still going on. As a consequence, the Briton was handed a suspended (50%) $50,000 fine and his first reprimand of the 2023 season by the FIA.
While with the Stewards, Hamilton was reportedly apologetic. Be that as it may, according to Windsor, being the bearers of driver safety in the modern era of this sport, the governing body should’ve taken a more dim view of Hamilton’s antics.
Peter Windsor slams FIA for ignoring near-fatal Lewis Hamilton mistake
Windsor began by explaining the seriousness of the incident. He said, “Crossing the track while the race is still in progress is a serious offense.” The Safety Car was out by the time Hamilton chose to saunter across the track. Yet, the speeds the cars were doing weren’t pedestrian by any stretch of the imagination.
Windsor was very grave when he spoke about the incident. He continued, “Obviously, the drivers know what they are doing, but it sets a very bad precedent.” Windsor’s analysis wasn’t mere hyperbole either, given that the sport has suffered tragedies in the past due to incidents of this very nature.
Windsor quoted the tragic death of Tom Pryce at the 1977 South African GP held at Kyalami. Windsor narrated, “Some of the accidents we have seen in the past where bystanders were hit by racing cars, and of course, the death of Tom Pryce because a track marshal crossed the circuit during a race. That’s where all these rules come from. You can’t take half-measures here.”
Lance Stroll gets caught in Windsor’s Hamilton-FIA rant
Hamilton’s case wasn’t the only one that miffed Windsor. The ex-Ferrari manager went on to say, “I understand that Lewis [Hamilton] has apologized and that everything is now being swept under the carpet, just like with the incident with Lance Stroll, even though there is a zero-tolerance policy.”
After his Q1 exit, a frustrated Lance Stroll was seen shoving his personal trainer, Henry Howe, in the Aston Martin garage. This was one of the rare moments when a physical altercation between an F1 driver and his crew member was streamed live on television. Naturally, Windsor was unamused.
In the end, the FIA’s compliance officer gave the Canadian a reprimand, and that was the end of the matter.
