Lewis Hamilton fined for seat belt infringement, keeps Brazil F1 win
Hamilton hasღ also recieved an additional €20,000 fine which is suspended until the end of 2022.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told media after the race ꧋that the team was “going to the stewards because Lewis has undone his belts on the last lap”.
This was confirmed shortly afterwards by an FIA bulleti💝n which has called a Mercedes team representative to report to the stewards at 5pm local time (8🐬pm GMT) in Brazil for an “alleged breach of Appendix L Chapter III Article 4 of the FIA International Sporting Code (use of safety belts).”
This regulation states: "Drivers must be properly restrained in thei𓄧r seat by safety belts in conformity with the technical regulations for the vehicle concerned, at all 🍸times during a competition when it is mobile on a circuit, pit lane, special stage or competition course."
"The driver of car 44, Lewis Hamilton, undid his seat belts on the in-lap at the end o🔯f the race," the stewards' report said. "While the Stewards are sympathetic to the desire to celebrate, it is fundam🔯entally unsafe to undo the seatbelts while the car is in motion.
"Slow speeds in these cars a𝓀re very fast for an unrestrained occupant. Further, Formula 1 drivers set the example for junior categories. It is critical that junior category drivers learn the importance of usin🍌g all the safety devices of the car at all times."
The suspension of the pena♔lty is subject to compliance with Appendix L, Ch. III of the ISC during the period specified.
During last year's Spanish Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc drove for ﷽a short period with his seat belts disconnected, but that incident was not investigated.
It comes after Hamilton charged fr✅om 10th on the grid and overtook title rival Max Verstappen in the closing stages to claim a remarkable victory 🍨at Interlagos.
Hamilton's win has cut Verst♈appen's lead in the drivers' standings down to 14🌳 points heading into the final three races of the year.
It is the second time this weekend Hamilton has been suඣmmoned to see the stewards, following an investigation into a technical infringement on the rear wing of his Mercedes.
That resulted in෴ Hamilton being thrown out of Friday's qualifying results and forced to start Saturday's sprint from 20th.
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