Lewis Hamilton is reportedly set to avoid a stewards investigation despite continuing to drive his damaged Ferrari after crashing during final practice for the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. Sky Sports F1 understands that the seven-time world champion will not be investigated over the incident, removing the prospect of an additional complication for Ferrari ahead of qualifying.
The situation attracted attention because Lewis Hamilton continued on track after reversing away from the barriers, even though Ferrari repeatedly instructed him to stop the car. The British driver eventually brought the damaged SF-26 to a halt in the middle sector, but the circumstances raised the possibility that the stewards could examine whether the car should have been stopped earlier.
Lewis Hamilton investigation reportedly ruled out after FP3 crash
Despite the sequence following the accident, Lewis Hamilton is not expected to face an investigation. According to Sky Sports F1, the stewards are not planning to open a case into the Ferrari driver’s actions after he attempted to continue following the crash.
That distinction is important for Ferrari because an investigation would have created another issue to manage between FP3 and qualifying. Instead, the team can concentrate on assessing the consequences of the accident itself and preparing for the competitive part of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
The incident occurred during final practice, when Lewis Hamilton hit the barriers before reversing away and attempting to continue. Ferrari communicated several instructions for the car to be stopped, but the British driver carried on before eventually coming to a halt further around the circuit.
Ferrari repeatedly asked Lewis Hamilton to stop
The most notable element of the episode was not simply the crash, but what happened immediately afterwards. Lewis Hamilton was told multiple times to stop after getting the Ferrari moving again, with the team clearly concerned about the condition of the car.
He nevertheless continued for a period before stopping in the middle sector. Driving a damaged Formula 1 car can naturally attract scrutiny when loose or compromised components may be involved, which is why the possibility of an investigation emerged following the session.
However, the current understanding is that the matter will not progress to the stewards. Unless that position changes, Lewis Hamilton will therefore head into qualifying without a separate sporting investigation hanging over him as a consequence of the post-crash sequence.
No additional stewards concern for Ferrari before qualifying
For Ferrari, that would at least prevent the FP3 incident from developing into a second problem away from the garage. The priority remains dealing with the car following the accident and completing preparations for qualifying at the new Madrid venue.
Lewis Hamilton’s crash already disrupted his final practice running, and any stewards process would have added further uncertainty at a crucial stage of the weekend. On the basis of the information currently available, that additional concern appears to have been avoided.
The focus now shifts back to the sporting consequences of the accident and Ferrari’s ability to have Lewis Hamilton ready for qualifying, rather than any disciplinary action arising from his decision to continue driving the damaged car.
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