Lewis Hamilton has been handed a reprimand for impeding Haas’ Nikita Mazepin during the final practice session in Jeddah.
The reprimand is Hamilton’s second of the 2021 season, meaning he avoids a grid penalty for the start of the grand prix.
Should Hamilton be reprimanded once more before the final race in Abu Dhabi next week, he will be forced to serve a 10-place grid penalty.
During FP3 in Saudi Arabia, Hamilton was on a slow-down lap while Mazepin was pushing, with the Russian driver forced to take avoiding action.
Mercedes has also been fined €25,000 for the incident, with the stewards asserting that the team could’ve done more to warn Hamilton.
“The driver was given a 10 second warning that Car 9 was approaching when he was at Turn 2,” read the stewards’ decision.
“Due to a failure in communication by the Team he was not given another warning until Car 9 was alongside him.
“The Stewards accept that this circuit presents challenges for drivers in relation to using their mirrors as the method of determining the approach of overtaking cars.
“Although it is the driver’s ultimate responsibility to avoid impeding, for this circuit the driver must depend upon the Team to communicate efficiently. This did not happen in this case and accordingly the penalty for the Competitor is imposed.
“The Stewards take this opportunity to emphasise that due to the nature of this circuit it is essential that teams communicate effectively and proactively with their drivers. This is not to be taken as a precedent for other circuits.”
Hamilton was also investigated for an alleged breach of double-waved yellow flags, but was cleared over the incident.
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