Lewis Hamilton handed FIA fine after Belgian GP pit-lane scare sparks broken-leg fears

Lewis Hamilton hit with €30,000 FIA fine after Belgian GP pit-lane scare

Lewis Hamilton was handed a €30,000 fine by the FIA on Sunday after a terrifying pit-lane incident at the Belgian Grand Prix left a Ferrari mechanic in the path of his Mercedes.

The seven-time world champion had just served a five-second time penalty when he was given the green light to rejoin the Spa-Francorchamps track. As Hamilton pulled away, a Ferrari crew member adjusting his front wing stepped into the front-right tyre’s path. The mechanic stumbled but escaped without injury.

What happened at Spa-Francorchamps?

The incident unfolded during Hamilton’s pit stop on 28 July 2025. After serving his penalty, Hamilton’s team radioed “Go” and instructed a 0.6-degree front-wing adjustment. The tyre change finished, the jack dropped, and the super controller flashed the green light.

But as Hamilton moved off, a Ferrari mechanic with a front-wing tool stepped forward: directly into the tyre’s path. Hamilton immediately slammed the brakes and checked on the worker via team radio.

Why it matters for Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton later admitted his heart sank when he saw the mechanic in danger. “When the green light went, I went,” he told his team. “You’re looking at the light, not the mechanic. That’s more on the team, ultimately.”

He added: “What went through my mind was when Kimi hit and broke a mechanic’s leg in Bahrain. My heart really sank for a second.”

Ferrari avoided a worse punishment: the FIA suspended €10,000 of the fine on condition no similar breach occurs in the next 12 months. The team must also submit a risk-mitigation report within 14 days.

What comes next for Hamilton and Ferrari

The FIA’s notice confirmed the fine and outlined the chain of miscommunication. Hamilton’s Mercedes was released despite the crew member still in the pit lane.

Ferrari argued the incident stemmed from a “complex and unusual combination of circumstances,” including Hamilton’s penalty and a late wing-adjustment call. The team faces no further sanctions beyond the financial penalty.

Hamilton, meanwhile, escaped the scare without damage to his car or the mechanic. But the incident reignites long-running debates over pit-lane safety in Formula 1.

The Belgian GP finish saw Max Verstappen take victory, with Hamilton finishing sixth after his penalty. The race marked the latest flashpoint in a season already dogged by tight margins and high stakes.