Lewis Hamilton was stripped of his victory in Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday after stewards deemed the McLaren driver to have gained an advantage by cutting a chicane during a scrap with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.
The stewards dealt Hamilton with a 25 second time penalty which was enough to gift the win to Felipe Massa.
Below is the statement from the stewards explaining their verdict.
From: The stewards of the meeting
To: The team manager, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
The stewards, having received a report from the Race Director and having met with the drivers and team managers involved, have considered the following matter, determine a breach of the regulations has been committed by the competitor and impose the penalty referred to.
No./driver: 22, Lewis Hamilton
Time: 15:21:33
Facts: Cut the chicane and gained an advantage
Offence: Breach of Article 30.3(a) of the 2008 FIA Formula 1 sporting regulations and Appendix L chapter 4 Article 2 (go) of the International Sporting Code.
Penalty: Drive-through penalty (Article 16.3 (a)), since this is being applied at the end of the race, 25 seconds will be added to the driver s elapsed race time.
FIA Stewards of the Meeting
Received by: Lewis Hamilton, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
