Lewis Hamilton faces a post-race investigation after accidentally striking his own Ferrari mechanic during a pitstop in a chaotic Belgian Grand Prix. The incident occurred after Hamilton had already been handed a five-second penalty for a first-lap collision with former Mercedes teammate George Russell, which ended Russell's race.
Pitstop Incident and Mechanic Safety
As Hamilton pulled out of the pitbox, he ran over the foot of a mechanic who was attempting to fix the front wing. Ferrari were noted for an unsafe release. Hamilton immediately asked on team radio, "****, is he OK?" Race engineer Carlo Santi replied, "He's OK, we're all OK." The team confirmed the mechanic sustained no serious injury.
The incident adds to a difficult weekend for Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari in 2025. The seven-time world champion had already been penalized for the opening-lap clash with Russell at Spa-Francorchamps. Stewards deemed Hamilton at fault despite his view that it was a racing incident.
Penalty and Impact on Race
The five-second time penalty was applied during Hamilton's pitstop, but the unsafe release could lead to further sanctions after the race, including a possible fine or grid penalty for future events. The stewards noted the incident for investigation.
Russell, visibly distraught, fought back tears after the crash, pointing the finger at Hamilton for the collision that ended his race early. The Mercedes driver had been running strongly before the contact.
Broader Implications for Ferrari
Ferrari's pit crew has faced scrutiny this season, and this incident raises questions about safety protocols. The team will likely review their procedures to prevent similar occurrences. Hamilton's championship hopes may also be affected if additional penalties are imposed.
