© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
After his spectacular win at the Brazilian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton has been fined because he undid his seat belt on the cooldown lap.
After everything that has been thrown at Lewis Hamilton during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, he has now been fined because he undid his seat belt on the cooldown lap after the race.
The breach happened while he was celebrating with the Brazilian flag. Lewis had undone his seat belt prior to returning to the pits, which is not allowed.
The news was broken to Toto Wolff over his phone, while he was giving post race interviews.
“I’ve just read something… we’re going to the stewards. Lewis has undone his belts on the last lap. That is a really good one,“ the Austrian said.
Hamilton has breached Appendix L Chapter III Article 4 of the FIA International Sporting Code which states:
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“Drivers must be properly restrained in their seat by safety belts in conformity with the technical regulations for the vehicle concerned, at all times during a competition when it is mobile on a circuit, pit lane, special stage or competition course.”
After an investigation Lewis had been fined €5,000 for the incident, with an additional €20,000 suspended until the end of 2022.
“The driver of car 44, Lewis Hamilton, undid his seat belts on the in-lap at the end of the race,” reads the bulletin from the stewards.
“While the Stewards are sympathetic to the desire to celebrate, it is fundamentally unsafe to undo the seatbelts while the car is in motion. Slow speeds in these cars are very fast for an unrestrained occupant.
“Further, Formula 1 drivers set the example for junior categories. It is critical that junior category drivers learn the importance of using all the safety devices of the car at all times.”
