Formula 1 saw Lewis Hamilton escape punishment after the Sprint of the 2026 Canadian GP. The FIA investigated the Ferrari driver for allegedly cutting the track and gaining an advantage in the final laps of the short race in Montreal, but decided not to apply any sanction.
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The seven-time world champion finished the Sprint only in sixth place after losing positions in the final corners of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Hamilton was ahead of Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, but was overtaken by both after an intense battle at the end of the race.
After the race, the stewards analyzed the moment when the Ferrari driver went through the final chicane off the track while defending position. Hamilton explained the incident stating: “Piastri put the car alongside me in the last corner and basically overtook me, and with that I also lost position to Charles.”
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The FIA reviewed footage, telemetry, team radio, and onboard videos before announcing the verdict. According to the official document, Hamilton was ahead of Piastri’s car approaching turn 13 and returned to the track still ahead of the Australian, but the stewards understood that the McLaren driver was not in a clear overtaking position.
Therefore, the entity concluded that Hamilton was not defending position irregularly and also did not gain a lasting advantage by cutting the chicane. The decision was different from the penalty previously applied to Nico Hülkenberg, who received ten seconds for a situation considered distinct by the stewards during the Sprint in Canada.
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