Canadian GP: Lewis Hamilton Avoids Penalty for Chicane Cut, Here's Why

Hamilton, the Easy Target?

The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix nearly ended in a slow crawl for Lewis Hamilton. After a fierce battle with Oscar Piastri, the seven-time world champion saw his fourth place evaporate on the penultimate lap, later yielding fifth to Charles Leclerc. But the incident that caught the stewards’ attention occurred earlier, when Hamilton, still ahead of Piastri, cut the final chicane. The investigation aimed to determine if he gained an unfair advantage by rejoining the track.

Stewards’ Justification: A Matter of Context

Contrary to what might have been feared, Lewis Hamilton was cleared. The reason cited by the stewards: car No. 44 was ahead of car No. 81 (Oscar Piastri) before Turn 13. Although he went off track and rejoined ahead of his pursuer, the governing body determined that Piastri was not in a position to overtake Hamilton at the time of the incident. Therefore, Hamilton wasn’t illegally “defending” his position and thus didn’t gain a lasting advantage.

Lewis Hamilton, pictured here ahead of Oscar Piastri, was the subject of a stewards' investigation. — Lewis Hamilton, pictured here ahead of Oscar Piastri, was the subject of a stewards’ investigation.

The Difference with Hülkenberg: The Notion of “Defense”

To better understand this decision, compare it to the one handed down to Nico Hülkenberg. The German driver received a ten-second penalty for cutting the same chicane during a duel with Liam Lawson. In Hülkenberg’s case, the stewards deemed he was “defending his position” against Lawson. By rejoining the track, he maintained his advantage, which led to the sanction. The nuance is clear: the position of the other car at the time of the infraction is decisive.

A Precedent-Setting Decision?

This ruling raises an interesting question: what will be the guideline for future incidents of this type? The stewards seem to favor a strict interpretation of the rules, where only an advantage gained by actively defending a position is penalized. This could potentially open the door for more audacious “steering wheel moments,” where drivers might no longer hesitate to cut a chicane if they aren’t directly under threat of being overtaken. It will be crucial to closely watch the upcoming races to see if this trend continues.

The Final Verdict for Hamilton and Ferrari

Ultimately, Lewis Hamilton can breathe easy. The investigation had no sporting consequences, and he retains his position in the standings. For Ferrari, it’s a relief, as a penalty could have further complicated their race. The essential point is that the regulations were applied with a logic that, while subtle, is understandable. The British driver can now focus on the rest of the season, with a firm intention to find his way back to victory.