Lewis Hamilton has been officially reprimanded for his pit lane entry incident during the German Grand Prix but his victory will stand.
In changeable conditions, Hamilton took to pit entry under Safety Car but then jinked left across the grass and back onto the race track amid confused radio calls.
The Mercedes driver therefore led the race upon restart and went on to win by 4.5s while championship rival Sebastian Vettel, who caused the Safety Car when he lost control and found the barriers, was a DNF.
Stewards called up Hamilton and the team after the podium but opted to only issue the Brit a reprimand, meaning that Hamilton keeps the win.
“It was clear that there was an infringement of the … rule – the driver clearly crossed the line separating the pit entry from the track,” read the stewards decision.
“In deciding on the penalty for the infringement, we took into account the following mitigating factors:
“(i) the driver and the team candidly admitted the mistake and the fact that there was confusion within the team as to whether to stay out or to enter the pits and that led to the infringement.
“(ii) The fact that the infringement took place during a Safety Car period.
“(iii) At no time was there any danger to any other competitor and the change in direction was executed in a safe way.
“Taking all of the above into account, including considering previous infringements of the above rule, we are of the opinion that a reprimand would be the appropriate penalty for the said infringement on this occasion.”
Hamilton leads the drivers’ championship by 17 points heading to the Hungarian Grand Prix this coming weekend (July 27-29).
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