Lewis Hamilton avoids double-yellow penalty ahead of Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton driving in Jeddah — Photo: © LAT Images

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Hamilton avoids double-yellow penalty ahead of Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Mercedes driver faced two summons after final practice

Ian Parkes

Saturday 4 December 2021 17:47 Updated: 18:20

Lewis Hamilton has been cleared by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix stewards for an alleged breach of the double-waved yellow flag rules.

Hamilton was hit with two summons from the stewards following the final practice run at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

The seven-time champion was initially charged with allegedly ignoring double-waved yellow flags/lights before then being asked to answer for impeding Haas driver Nikita Mazepin.

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After meeting with the stewards for just 15 minutes to discuss both charges, Hamilton has avoided a penalty with regards to the yellow-flag scenario.

A decision on the impeding has yet to be confirmed.

A review of the yellow-flag incident saw the Mercedes driver start a flying lap with double-flashing yellow lights being shown at turn one momentarily, only to switch off as he reached the corner.

A stewards' report read: "The race director [Michael Masi] reported to the stewards that the double-yellow flag warning on the FIA Marshalling System was activated at light panel number six accidentally, for less than one second.

"As the on-board video of car 44 [to be released by the Commercial Rights Holder following this decision] clearly shows, there was no yellow flag displayed, no yellow lights were displayed to that driver and the yellow warning light was not visible on the driver’s steering wheel.

"Unlike other incidents this year, there was no yellow flag or yellow light displayed to the driver [the driver already being well into the marshalling sector when the system was briefly activated] hence no breach of the regulations has occurred."