November 14, (THEWILL) – Following his stunning victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was fined €5000 for unbuckling his seatbelt with the car still in motion.
After penalties for bringing a new engine to Brazil and a technical infraction, Hamilton had to start the race 10th on the grid, and the Mercedes driver was summoned to the stewards once more after the race for loosening his seatbelt on his in-lap while picking up a Brazilian flag.
Fears of a points deduction or another hefty penalty were allayed when he was hit with a €5,000 fine and a €20,000 fine that was deferred until the end of 2022.
The stewards explained their decision and the cause for the fine in a statement that read:
“The driver of car 44, Lewis Hamilton, undid his seat belts on the in-lap at the end of the race. 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.
“The suspension of the penalty is subject to compliance with Appendix L, Ch. III of the ISC during the period specified.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
