Hamilton keeps British GP podium as stewards issue reprimand over yellow-flag breach

Lewis Hamilton will keep his third-place finish at the British Grand Prix after FIA stewards ruled on Sunday that a yellow-flag infringement at Silverstone warranted only a reprimand, leaving the Ferrari driver on the podium behind team-mate Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell.

Hamilton had been under investigation for allegedly failing to reduce speed through a yellow-flag zone at Turn 9, where the stranded Haas of Nico Hülkenberg was parked. Video evidence presented to the stewards showed that Hamilton entered the relevant sector before any yellow flag or light panel had been displayed, and that the warning only appeared on his steering wheel display once he was already on the straight approaching Turn 10 — effectively at the end of the zone.

The stewards also took into account that Hamilton had been engaged in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Max Verstappen immediately before the incident, leaving his attention directed to his mirrors rather than the light panels ahead. While they accepted the time available to react was very limited, they noted he did not reduce speed and issued a reprimand accordingly.

Hamilton himself had anticipated a harsher outcome. Speaking after his discussion with the stewards, he said: “I’m probably going to get a penalty right now as well, so I’ll probably lose [the podium]. I went through a yellow flag and I didn’t see it.”

The result means Hamilton finishes third behind Leclerc, who took victory, and Russell in second. Both drivers benefitted from a late retirement by championship leader Kimi Antonelli, which reshaped the closing stages of the race.

The grand prix itself ended under the safety car following a late accident for Verstappen at Stowe. That incident proved costly for Hamilton, who had pitted for fresh tyres under the safety car while Russell stayed out, handing Russell the track position he needed to secure second place at the flag.