Lewis Hamilton has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Hungarian Grand Prix after he was found to have unnecessarily impeded McLaren's Oscar Piastri during qualifying.
The incident occurred at a crucial moment in Q3, with Hamilton having just completed his final qualifying lap and travelling at reduced speed on the racing line, approaching Piquet(Turn 1), as Piastri was beginning his own final push lap. According to the Stewards' decision, Hamilton had not received the team's radio message warning him that Piastri was approaching until the McLaren was already in close proximity.
Piastri was therefore forced to take avoiding action, running wide and abandoning his lap as he attempted to get past the Ferrari. The Stewards concluded that Hamilton had unnecessarily impeded the McLaren driver and ruled that he had breached Article B4.1.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Regulations.
After reviewing the available evidence, including the drivers' statements, team representatives' accounts, team radio and in-car video, the Stewards imposed a three-place grid penalty on Hamilton for the race.
The penalty significantly changes the starting order at the Hungaroring. Hamilton originally qualified second, but will now start fifth on the grid.
This promotes Charles Leclerc to the front row alongside Norris, while Kimi Antonelli moves up to third and Oscar Piastri to fourth. Hamilton will therefore have to fight his way forward from the third row if he is to challenge for victory.
The penalty is a major setback for Ferrari after a strong weekend so far. Hamilton had looked capable of fighting for pole, while Leclerc qualified third, giving the team a strong chance of challenging McLaren at the front.