Ferrari criticises Lewis Hamilton's penalty in F1 Belgian GP
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 5:00 PM
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton publicly condemned the five-second penalty handed to Hamilton for a collision with George Russell at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. Vasseur described the penalty as 'mega harsh,' arguing that Russell had sufficient space on the track during the incident on the opening lap. The race unfolded with both drivers and their teams expressing discontent over the decision. The implications of the penalty on race outcomes remain to be seen as the event continues.
- •Hamilton received a five-second penalty for a first-lap collision with Russell.
- •Frederic Vasseur criticized the penalty as excessively harsh.
- •The collision occurred on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix.
- •Both parties are dissatisfied with the ruling from race officials.
- •The race is still ongoing, and implications of the penalty are yet to be determined.
- 5:00 PMMotorsport.com — Ferrari criticises "mega harsh" Lewis Hamilton penalty in F1 Belgian GP
- 5:00 PMAutosport — Ferrari criticises "mega harsh" penalty for Hamilton in F1 Belgian GP
"Both Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari team boss, Frederic Vasseur, profoundly disagree with the five-second penalty he received for a collision with George Russell’s Mercedes on the opening lap of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. "I think it's mega harsh," said Vasseur after the race. "If you have a look on the corner, Russell had enough space on the left-hand side, it's not that he was ...Keep reading
"Both Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari team boss, Frederic Vasseur, profoundly disagree with the five-second penalty he received for a collision with George Russell’s Mercedes on the opening lap of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. "I think it's mega harsh," said Vasseur after the race. "If you have a look on the corner, Russell had enough space on the left-hand side, it's not that he was ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comJul 19, 2026, 5:00 PMFerrari criticises "mega harsh" Lewis Hamilton penalty in F1 Belgian GP
Both Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari team boss, Frederic Vasseur, profoundly disagree with the five-second penalty he received for a collision with George Russell’s Mercedes on the opening lap of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. "I think it's mega harsh," said Vasseur after the race. "If you have a look on the corner, Russell had enough space on the left-hand side, it's not that he was ...Keep reading
- AutosportJul 19, 2026, 5:00 PMFerrari criticises "mega harsh" penalty for Hamilton in F1 Belgian GP
Both Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari team boss, Frederic Vasseur, profoundly disagree with the five-second penalty he received for a collision with George Russell’s Mercedes on the opening lap of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. "I think it's mega harsh," said Vasseur after the race. "If you have a look on the corner, Russell had enough space on the left-hand side, it's not that he was ...Keep reading
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
Motorsport•Jul 20, 2026, 3:09 PMUnderdog Todd Gilliland to face Ryan Blaney for $1 million In-Season Challenge prize
Motorsport•Jul 20, 2026, 2:20 PMGeorge Russell told "low" moments are "really good thing for him" after Belgian GP blow- Motorsport•Jul 20, 2026, 8:49 AMRussell turns radio waves blue with rant after Belgian GP retirement
- Motorsport•Jul 20, 2026, 2:09 AMWhat happened to Ryan Blaney? NASCAR points contender makes costly mistake at Window World 450
- Motorsport•Jul 19, 2026, 7:40 PMRussell 'numb to disappointment' after bitter blow to title hopes
Motorsport•Jul 19, 2026, 5:42 PMHamilton gutted after mechanic hit; Ferrari fined
