Ferrari received a significant boost ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix after the FIA stewards decided not to penalise Lewis Hamilton following a qualifying incident involving Alpine driver Pierre Gasly.
The seven-time world champion had come under investigation after the qualifying session in Montreal, with concerns raised over a possible impeding incident during Q1. The moment in question occurred at Turn 8, where Pierre Gasly, on a flying lap, encountered Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari SF-26 on track, prompting the FIA to summon both drivers and representatives from their respective teams for clarification.
For a brief period, uncertainty surrounded Ferrari’s starting position, as the official FIA documentation indicated that car number 44 was being reviewed for a potential breach of Article B4.1.1 of the sporting regulations, the section covering impeding during qualifying sessions. Given how tight the competitive order was in Canada, any grid penalty for Lewis Hamilton would have been a serious setback for Ferrari heading into race day.
Ultimately, however, the investigation ended in Ferrari’s favour.
FIA stewards explain Lewis Hamilton decision
After examining all available footage, telemetry, team communications, and statements from those involved, the stewards concluded that no sporting penalty was warranted. That means Lewis Hamilton retains his fifth-place starting position for the Canadian Grand Prix, preserving an important opportunity for Ferrari in what has already been a highly unpredictable weekend.
The verdict comes at a crucial moment for the Scuderia. Lewis Hamilton had shown increasingly encouraging pace throughout qualifying, particularly as the session progressed into Q2 and Q3, where the British driver looked far more comfortable with Ferrari’s revised setup direction. At one stage, the seven-time world champion even appeared capable of challenging for a top-three grid slot before a mistake on his final attempt prevented any further improvement.
Keeping Lewis Hamilton in fifth is particularly valuable considering Ferrari’s mixed overall performance in Montreal. While the Briton extracted competitive pace from the SF-26, Charles Leclerc endured another frustrating session on the opposite side of the garage, qualifying only eighth after a difficult battle with tyre temperature management and an ongoing lack of confidence in the car’s balance.
With changing weather conditions expected for Sunday and rain still a realistic possibility, Ferrari will be relieved to avoid any additional complications. Grid position could prove especially important if strategy becomes unpredictable, making the FIA’s decision even more significant for the team’s Canadian Grand Prix hopes.
For Ferrari, this ruling removes a major distraction and allows full focus to shift toward race execution, where Lewis Hamilton could still emerge as a serious contender if the changing conditions open strategic opportunities.
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