Lewis Hamilton hit with Ferrari rule-breach fines at Belgian GP

Lewis Hamilton was caught up in a double rule-breach penalty for Ferrari at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix qualifying on 26 July.

What happened?

Ferrari received two separate fines-€25,000 each-after Lewis Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc exceeded track limits during the session. The penalties were issued by the FIA for breaches on Turns 9 and 10, where both drivers gained an advantage by running wide. Hamilton’s penalty came on his final flying lap, while Leclerc’s was recorded earlier in the same segment.

Why it matters for Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton’s penalty cost him a clean qualifying run and pushed him down the grid. The two fines add to Ferrari’s growing list of track-limit issues this season, raising questions about the team’s preparation for the race. For Hamilton, it’s another setback in a campaign where small mistakes have repeatedly cost him positions.

What comes next?

Ferrari must now decide whether to adjust their qualifying approach for the race on 27 July. Hamilton will start from a lower grid slot, forcing him to fight through traffic in Sunday’s Grand Prix. The team’s race strategy could be shaped by Saturday’s penalties-especially if they opt for aggressive tire or fuel choices to recover lost time.

What the rules say

Track-limit breaches are monitored by FIA sensors and GPS. Drivers lose their best lap times if they exceed the white lines, but stewards can impose additional penalties if the advantage gained is deemed significant. Hamilton’s penalty was applied to his best sector time, dropping him out of the top-10 shootout.