Lewis Hamilton faced the stewards post-race after being investigated for a yellow flag infringement, following his podium at the British Grand Prix. The outcome of this post-race investigation has now been confirmed, with the seven-time World Champion handed a reprimand by the stewards.
It marked his first reprimand of the season, concluding an eventful afternoon at Silverstone. Hamilton had earlier received a five-second time penalty for a false start, which was served during his first pit stop.
Yellow Flag Infringement Verdict
News broke that Hamilton would have to visit the stewards over the yellow flag infringement, an incident he commented on after the race while speaking to Sky Sports F1. “I’m probably going to get a penalty right now as well,” Hamilton said after seeing the stewards. He added, “I went through a yellow flag and I didn’t see it. Jumped the start, yellow flag – when it rains, it pours.”
Following the hearing, it was confirmed that Hamilton would receive a reprimand for the infringement. A document detailing the verdict stated that Hamilton had “failed to slow for a single yellow flag at Turn 9 on Lap 38.”
The stewards explained that the Briton had entered the relevant sector before any yellow flag or yellow light panel was displayed. They noted that the yellow indication on the steering wheel display “only appeared once the driver was already on the straight towards Turn 10 and close to the end of the yellow flag zone.” The evidence further showed there was no yellow light panel warning within the driver’s immediate field of vision, and the yellow indication on the steering wheel display remained visible for only a very short period. The stewards were therefore satisfied that the time available for the driver to react to the yellow flag indication was very limited.
Stewards also considered that Hamilton had been battling with Max Verstappen immediately prior to entering the sector and was “expecting a counter attack.” This meant his attention “remained directed to his mirrors for most of the straight towards Turn 10, rather than immediately towards the green light panel at the end of the sector.” However, the stewards determined that “after the yellow had been displayed on the steering wheel display and the green light panel was illuminated immediately before Turn 10, Hamilton did not make a discernible reduction of speed and therefore did not fully comply with the requirements applicable under a single yellow flag.”
Eventful Race Day at Silverstone
Hamilton later crossed the line in third place. He had lost out on what looked to be a likely P2 when he pitted during a late-race Safety Car, with Mercedes’ George Russell – who had stayed out on track – taking the position.
Before the yellow flag verdict was announced, Hamilton also reflected on his race as a whole. When quizzed on the decision to pit during the Safety Car, the 41-year-old admitted that it was “all a bit of a bl”
The reprimand for the yellow flag infringement marks the seven-time World Champion’s first of the season, concluding a challenging post-race period at the British Grand Prix.