The third free practice can rightly be called an eventful session for Lewis Hamilton. This is how the current number two from the World Cup drove first Pierre Gasly in the way and followed an incident with Nikita mazepin. Hamilton continued to drive very slowly on the ideal line, while the Haas driver just came running at full speed. The Russian had to steer rigorously over the kerbstones and was only able to avoid a serious crash at the last minute.
For that incident, Hamilton must first be accountable to race management. Michael Masi first indicated via FIA radio that he would deal with the moment with the team and with the marshals, because no blue flag would have been shown. However, the stewards disagree and want to hear from Hamilton about Mazepin’s ‘unnecessary impeding’ in Turn 8.
In addition, Hamilton must answer for ignoring a double yellow at 3:22 p.m. local time. At that point Hamilton passed both Red Bull cars and also Yuki Tsunoda. Towards turns eight and nine, panels show double yellow, probably due to slow-moving drivers – including Verstappen. However, Hamilton records a purple first sector time at that moment. At 7 p.m. local time, the Briton must also provide text and explanation about this to the race management. Team-mate Valtteri Bottas in turn also passed a single yellow flag and immediately reported this via the on-board radio. The team then informed the Finn that it would abort the round.
Title rival Max Verstappen has also been reprimanded after qualifying in Qatar for ignoring a double yellow. He then ended up with a five-place grid penalty.
–
