'Hamilton faces a ten-place grid penalty'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Lewis Hamilton was not present at the FIA gala on Thursday night following the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This could have serious consequences, reports the Express. Hamilton might get a ten place grid penalty during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The FIA has laid down in its regulations that the top three drivers in the World Championship are obliged to attend the FIA gala. When this is not the case there can be consequences. According to the English medium this means that Hamilton could start from eleventh place at the most during the next race in Bahrain.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the new president of the FIA, reacted to the incident during his appointment. He announced that he will soon look into what actions the FIA can take and whether this is necessary. It seems likely that the federation wants to make a statement to other drivers by handing out a firm punishment.
Reason for Hamilton's absence
According to Hamilton the race stewards acted wrongly when they allowed some lapped card to overtake behind the Safety Car, causing the world title to slip out of his hands. The FIA, however, ignored Mercedes' protest. Besides Hamilton, team boss Toto Wolff was also absent at the gala.