Lewis Hamilton avoided a late penalty after the FIA launched an investigation into an incident during qualifying for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, capping off a busy evening for race stewards in Montreal.
The Ferrari driver secured fifth place during Saturday’s qualifying session at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but his performance came under scrutiny shortly after the chequered flag. Hamilton was summoned by FIA officials following an alleged impeding incident involving Alpine driver Pierre Gasly at Turn 8.
Hamilton had shown competitive pace throughout qualifying and looked capable of challenging for a stronger grid position before a mistake at Turn 7 ruined his final flying lap. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion lost momentum after a small slide and was forced to abandon the lap, ultimately settling for P5 on the starting grid.
However, the bigger concern for Ferrari came after the session when stewards announced that Hamilton and Gasly were under investigation for a potential breach of Article B4.1.1 of the sporting regulations. Gasly was believed to have been impeded while attempting a push lap, raising the possibility that Hamilton could receive a grid penalty ahead of Sunday’s race.
The FIA carefully reviewed the situation by examining multiple sources of evidence, including timing data, telemetry, onboard camera footage, positioning systems, marshalling information and team radio communications. Hamilton and representatives from both Ferrari and Alpine were also called to provide their explanations to the stewards.
Following the review, FIA officials decided not to punish Hamilton, confirming that no further action would be taken. In their official statement, stewards explained that Hamilton believed Gasly was not on a competitive lap at the time of the incident. Ferrari backed up Hamilton’s account and stated that the team had also interpreted the situation the same way based on the information available during qualifying.
The decision allowed Hamilton to keep his fifth-place grid position, avoiding what could have been a costly setback in Ferrari’s hopes of securing a strong result in Montreal.
The Hamilton-Gasly investigation was only one of several incidents that kept FIA officials occupied after qualifying. Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were both investigated over separate unsafe release incidents in the pit lane. After reviewing the evidence, stewards fined the Aston Martin team a combined €15,000 for the breaches.
Elsewhere, Cadillac driver Sergio Perez was summoned after an alleged incident involving Alonso under Article 12.2.1.i of the International Sporting Code. Perez escaped with only a reprimand following the hearing.
Stroll later found himself under investigation again, this time for an alleged impeding incident involving Nico Hulkenberg, adding further drama to an already chaotic qualifying session.
Despite the series of investigations and steward enquiries, the overall starting grid remained mostly unchanged. Hamilton’s escape from punishment means the Ferrari driver will still line up in fifth place as he targets a podium challenge at the Canadian Grand Prix.
With tensions already high following several controversial moments throughout the weekend, Sunday’s race in Montreal is expected to deliver even more drama as drivers battle for crucial championship points at one of Formula 1’s most unpredictable circuits.