São Paulo Grand Prix · News
FULL TRANSCRIPT: Hamilton and Ferrari radio disagreement in Madrid
Lewis Hamilton ignored repeated Ferrari orders to stop after crashing in Spanish GP FP3, despite damage including a wing under the floor and a puncture.
Lewis Hamilton ignored multiple instructions from Ferrari race engineer Carlo Santi to stop his car after a heavy crash during final practice for the Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring.
The seven-time Formula 1 drivers’ champion hit the barriers at the final corner approximately 25 minutes into the final hour of FP3, triggering a red flag. Although Hamilton managed to reverse his SF-26 away from the barriers, he then attempted to return to the pit lane, hoping to salvage the final half-hour of running.
Full Ferrari team radio transcript
Carlo Santi: “Mode warm-up, mode warm-up, please.”
Santi: “If you are stuck, switch off. If you are stuck, switch off.”
- [Hamilton starts moving] *
Santi: “Stop the car, stop the car, stop the car.”
Lewis Hamilton: “The car is going.”
Santi: “You have the wing under the wheels. Stop in the safest place, the safest place possible, as soon as you see the gate.”
Hamilton: “If I can make it back, I will. If I can’t, I’ll do it safely.”
Santi: “We have a puncture on the front right. Stop the car.”
Hamilton: “I can see that. I can see that.”
Santi: “They told us, 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.”
Santi: “Stop on the track right.”
Hamilton: “But I can make it back— okay, I’m stopping the car.”
Santi: “Ignition off and PO, please. Ignition off and PO.”
Hamilton was initially thought likely to face consequences, particularly after Sergio Perez received a three-place grid penalty at the Canadian Grand Prix for driving a Red Bull in an unsafe condition. However, Hamilton had not been noted by the stewards in Madrid at the time of reporting, leaving open the possibility that he would avoid further investigation and punishment.