Lewis Hamilton could be hit with 10 place grid penalty in the 2022 season opener


Lewis Hamilton could be hit with 10 place grid penalty in the 2022 season opener

Lewis Hamilton

The 7 time champion of the world Lewis Hamilton is in line to get a 10 place grid penalty for the opening race of the 2022 Formula 1 season in Bahrain. This has come about because of Lewis not showing up at the annual FIA gala ceremony in Paris. It is mandatory for the top three drivers to attend the event.

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It has been stated in the Express that Lewis Hamilton could be found guilty of breaching Article 6.6 which says “The drivers finishing first, second and third in the championship must be present at the annual FIA prize-giving ceremony.” Lewis and Mercedes team Principal Toto Wolff were both not present at the ceremony.

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff showing their displeasure at Micheal Masi’s decision

Lewis and Toto
Lewis and Toto

Lewis and Toto have shown Micheal Masi and the FIA that they were not happy with the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by not attending the annual Gala ceremony of the FIA. The former FIA President Jean Todt was not happy with this during the ceremony and said I wish Mercedes could have been represented properly.

Related: Max Verstappen will never join Mercedes as Helmut Marko indicates one race ‘destroyed’ chances

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The Mercedes duo feels that they were robbed of Lewis’s record-breaking 8th world title during the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when Micheal Masi came up with the controversial decision which saw Max Verstappen snatch the victory and their hopes of 8th world title away from them. This has left everyone at Mercedes disheartened and not attending the Gala was their way of showing their resentment against the decision.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem: Rules are rules.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem
Mohammed Ben Sulayem

The newly elected President of the FIA in his first press conference was asked about Lewis Hamilton not attending the Gala and in blatant terms, he said that rules are rules and they should be followed to the letter. The President has made his stance clear regarding the incident and has said if Lewis is found guilty he will be punished.

It is not looking very promising for Lewis as before the last race he already had two reprimands and if he is found guilty of Article 6.6, this will be his third reprimand and he will most definitely get the grid drop for the first race of the 2022 season in Bahrain.

Also Read: Jean Todt: Mercedes deserved ‘much more reward’ for the eighth title

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