Hamilton reprimanded after impeding Lawson in Baku practice

Lewis Hamilton was reprimanded after impeding Liam Lawson during second practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where the Racing Bulls driver had to lift and brake to avoid the Ferrari at high speed. The stewards found Hamilton had not followed traffic-management instructions, but said they considered the energy-deployment difficulty in that section when deciding the penalty. They found no intent to impede. The incident occurred as Hamilton was on an out-lap and Lawson approached on a flying lap through the fast sequence at Turns 18 and 19 in Baku. According to the stewards’ decision, Hamilton had been told twice by his team that Lawson was approaching. The race director’s instructions required drivers on out-laps or slow laps to keep to the left between Turns 16 and 18 and manage the gap before Turn 18. The stewards said Hamilton did not remain on the required line and stayed on the racing line near Turn 19, forcing Lawson to lift and brake. The stewards described the impeding as severe given the circuit layout, the high-speed corners and the instructions in place.