Lewis Hamilton faces the chance of serving a penalty for the 2022 Bahrain GP for snubbing the FIA prizegiving gala.
The 36-year-old failed to turn up to the FIA gala after his heartbreaking loss at the Abu Dhabi GP. Since then, he hasn’t posted on social media and the like, but it seems his disappearance could have consequences.
The seven-time world champion could be hit with a fine or a reprimand. Should he receive a fine, he will just have to pay it and move on. However, should a reprimand be given, Hamilton faces the chance of serving a penalty for the 2022 Bahrain GP.
As quoted by express.co.uk, the FIA regulations say, “Any driver who receives three (3) reprimands in the same championship will, upon the imposition of the third, be given a ten (10) grid place penalty for the race at that event.
“If the third reprimand is imposed following an incident during a race, the ten (10) grid place penalty will be applied at the driver’s next event.
“The ten (10) grid place penalty will only be imposed if at least two (2) of the reprimands were imposed for a driving infringement.”
Rules are rules
New FIA President Ben Sulayem said, “At the end of the day, rules are rules.
“So we are going to look into the side of where the technical rules are there to be employed and was he in breach? I have to look into it.
“Of course, we’ll have to be also be following our rules. But in the meanwhile, it doesn’t stop us from making a champion feel good about the sport, you know.
“It’s easy to be nice to people. And it is cheap to be nice. And it’s also to motivate people. But definitely, if there is any breach, there is no forgiveness in this.”