A sequence of FIA penalties affecting Lewis Hamilton across recent 2026 Formula 1 weekends has reopened a long-running and controversial debate over whether the Ferrari driver is subjected to closer scrutiny than his rivals. With the seven-time world champion competitive again and attempting to make up ground in the 2026 Formula 1 driver standings, every decision by the stewards carries potentially significant consequences.
Few narratives in Formula 1 have proved as persistent or divisive as the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and the FIA. For years, there have been signs of what many supporters and observers regard as particular attention towards the British driver—attention that can sometimes create the impression that officials are going beyond an entirely impartial application of the regulations.
Lewis Hamilton’s FIA penalties revive the shadow of Abu Dhabi 2021
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains one of the most fiercely debated chapters in recent Formula 1 history. Lewis Hamilton was leading the race and closing in on an eighth world championship when a sequence of decisions by race director Michael Masi dramatically altered the outcome.
The handling of the Safety Car period following Nicholas Latifi’s accident allowed Max Verstappen to fit fresh tyres and overtake Lewis Hamilton on the final lap, in circumstances that many believed were inconsistent with the sporting regulations.
Subsequent internal FIA investigations acknowledged human error and procedural failures, although the decisions were described as having been made in good faith. Michael Masi lost his position as Formula 1 race director, while reforms were introduced to prevent a repeat of the situation. The result of the race and the championship, however, remained unchanged.
That episode was not viewed as an isolated case by those who questioned the FIA’s handling of the 2021 season. Incidents in Brazil and Saudi Arabia had already raised concerns about what was perceived as a stricter application of the rules towards Lewis Hamilton. Together, those events left a lasting impression among observers and supporters, establishing what they regarded as a precedent for interventions that appeared to work against the British driver’s championship challenge.
Return to the front brings a fresh run of FIA penalties
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and return to a competitive level during the 2026 season have brought the subject of FIA decision-making back into focus. A succession of sanctions over a relatively short period has directly affected his results and championship position, contributing to a wider examination of Lewis Hamilton’s recent penalty record.
At the British Grand Prix, a five-second penalty for a false start compromised a potential home victory. That was compounded by a controversial late Safety Car period, during which Lewis Hamilton lost second place to George Russell.
At the Belgian Grand Prix, a first-lap collision with George Russell resulted in another five-second penalty. The incident was viewed by many as a racing incident, including by the Mercedes driver himself, while the penalty prescribed under the regulations was said to be 10 seconds.
The pattern continued in Hungary. Lewis Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri during qualifying before being handed another five-second sanction in the race for exceeding the pit-lane speed limit by only 0.1 km/h. The exact circumstances of the Hungarian Grand Prix penalty attracted particular attention because of the extremely small margin involved.
Accumulated over three consecutive weekends, these decisions turned potentially stronger results into more modest finishes. Ferrari ultimately placed fourth and fifth in the final Hungarian Grand Prix classification, despite Lewis Hamilton believing that the team should have been capable of winning in Budapest.
The level of detail with which incidents involving Lewis Hamilton are examined has consequently come under renewed scrutiny. Post-race checks, impeding investigations, yellow-flag incidents and interpretations at the limits of the regulations appear to be pursued with a diligence that, in the eyes of critics, is not always reflected in cases involving other drivers.
Whenever Lewis Hamilton returns to the fight for podiums and victories, the penalties appear to arrive with striking regularity, limiting his opportunities to close the gap to his championship rivals.
Selective scrutiny or strict enforcement?
Taken together, these incidents suggest an FIA approach that is not necessarily driven by systematic bad faith, but which may involve particularly intense scrutiny of Lewis Hamilton. The Ferrari driver does make mistakes, and those errors should be penalised when the regulations require it. Nevertheless, the frequency and timing of the interventions—especially at decisive moments—continue to fuel discussion about whether he is being treated differently.
Formula 1 is founded on the principle of sporting fairness. When a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s calibre believes that the regulations are being interpreted more strictly in his case, and that perception is shared by a significant number of observers, confidence in the integrity of the competition can be weakened.
From 2021 to the present day, critics see a consistent pattern: the more competitive Lewis Hamilton becomes, the more closely his actions appear to be examined by the stewards.
Only consistent enforcement can end the debate
Recent Formula 1 history indicates that the FIA has maintained an especially watchful eye on Lewis Hamilton. Whether the discussion concerns championship-defining events, controversial Safety Car management or penalties accumulated during an ongoing season, the perception of an unfavourable approach has persisted.
Only a uniform and transparent application of the regulations across every driver and team can dispel those doubts and restore complete confidence in the championship. Until that happens, each new decision involving Lewis Hamilton is likely to keep the debate alive.
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