News Summary
- Lewis Hamilton continued driving after his FP3 crash despite repeated instructions from Ferrari race engineer Carlo Santi to stop the car.
- Hamilton’s broken front wing was trapped underneath the SF-26 and the front-right tire was punctured, with debris left around the Madring circuit as he attempted to return to the pits.
- Santi eventually told Hamilton that Race Control had formally requested the car be stopped, before the seven-time champion finally pulled over.
The radio exchange following Lewis Hamilton’s FP3 crash in Madrid has revealed how Ferrari repeatedly instructed the seven-time Formula 1 champion to stop his damaged SF-26 before he eventually abandoned his attempt to return to the pits.
Hamilton crashed at the final corner while improving on a lap that had put him in contention for the fastest time. The Ferrari driver reversed away from the barrier and began moving again, but the impact had broken the front wing and punctured the front-right tire. Part of the wing became trapped underneath the car and dragged along the asphalt as Hamilton continued around Madring, leaving carbon-fiber debris on the circuit.
The full sequence adds important context to the initial footage of Hamilton’s FP3 accident and the subsequent red flag. What initially appeared to be an attempt to assess whether the Ferrari remained driveable developed into a prolonged disagreement over whether Hamilton should stop immediately.
Race engineer Carlo Santi’s first instruction came before Hamilton began moving again.
“If you are stuck, switch off. If you are stuck, switch off,” Santi said.
Hamilton nevertheless reversed away from the barrier and continued. Once Ferrari saw the condition of the car, Santi became considerably more forceful.
“Stop the car. Stop the car. Stop the car.”
“The car is going,” Hamilton replied.
Santi then warned Hamilton that a damaged component was underneath the car and instructed him to find a safe stopping point. The available radio transcript identifies it as the wing under the wheels, while footage of the incident shows the broken front wing being dragged beneath the SF-26.
“You have the wing under the wheels. Stop in the safest place possible, as soon as you see the gate,” Santi said.
Hamilton continued. Ferrari then drew his attention to the puncture.
“We have a puncture on the front right. Stop the car.”
“I can see that. I can see that,” Hamilton replied.
Hamilton still did not immediately stop. At that point, Santi made clear that the instruction was no longer simply Ferrari’s preference: Race Control wanted the car parked.
“Stop the car in the first gate you find. It’s the race director, he’s asking to stop the car in the safest place possible.”
“I can make it back safely,” Hamilton answered.
Santi then emphasized that Ferrari had received a formal request.
“They told us, it’s a formal request, they told us to stop in the safest place possible. Stop before Turn 12, on the left.”
“Stop on the track right,” Santi subsequently instructed.
Hamilton finally relented.
“But I can make it back. Okay, I’m stopping the car.”
“Ignition off and P0 please. Ignition off and P0,” Santi concluded.
Independent reports from the session confirm that Hamilton continued for a substantial portion of the lap despite Ferrari’s repeated requests, with the damaged front wing lodged underneath the car and a punctured front-right tire.
Race Control request puts Hamilton incident under scrutiny
The crucial part of the exchange is Santi’s confirmation that Race Control had formally asked Ferrari to stop Hamilton’s car. That changes the context from a driver simply attempting to nurse damaged machinery back to the garage: by the latter stages of the sequence, Hamilton had been explicitly informed that the request came from Race Control.
The SF-26 was visibly damaged and shedding debris, while the front-right puncture further complicated Hamilton’s attempt to continue. He eventually stopped after completing roughly two-thirds of the lap rather than reaching the Ferrari garage.
Whether the episode results in sporting consequences is a separate question. No penalty should be considered confirmed unless the FIA stewards issue an official decision, but Hamilton’s decision to continue after being informed of Race Control’s formal request is likely to attract particular attention.
The crash itself also had a major effect on FP3. Repairs to the damaged TecPro barrier caused such a long delay that Race Control took the unusual decision to freeze the session countdown with 15:38 remaining, preserving the final quarter-hour of practice. Running eventually resumed at 13:32 local time.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli ultimately topped FP3 with a 1:32.797, 0.166s ahead of Charles Leclerc, while Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris followed for McLaren. Hamilton, unable to return after the accident, finished ninth with a 1:34.284. Oliver Bearman then caused another red flag with a late crash, ending FP3 prematurely.
For Hamilton, however, the focus now extends beyond the damage Ferrari must repair before qualifying. The radio makes clear that he was repeatedly told to stop and, crucially, was eventually informed that Race Control itself had formally requested it.
GRANDE PRÊMIO follows the FIA’s response to the incident and all the action from qualifying at Madring.
FAQ
Why did Ferrari tell Lewis Hamilton to stop after his Madrid crash?
Hamilton’s Ferrari had a broken front wing trapped underneath the car and a front-right puncture. Race engineer Carlo Santi repeatedly instructed him to stop in a safe location, eventually explaining that Race Control had formally requested the car be stopped.
Did Lewis Hamilton ignore Race Control in FP3?
Hamilton initially continued despite repeated Ferrari instructions. During the exchange, Santi explicitly told him that the Race Director was asking for the car to be stopped and later described it as a “formal request.” Hamilton continued briefly before eventually stopping.
Could Lewis Hamilton receive a penalty after his FP3 crash?
The incident could be reviewed because Hamilton continued driving a heavily damaged car after being told of Race Control’s request. However, there is no confirmed penalty unless and until the FIA stewards issue an official decision.
