Lewis Hamilton avoids penalty for defying team orders

Lewis Hamilton has avoided being sanctioned by his team after he refused to follow team orders.

At last weekend's season finale at Abu Dhabi, Hamilton was told multiple times to increase his speed in order to secure the race victory. The Briton was backing up team-mate Nico Rosberg to try and let Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen overtake him.

It remained Hamilton's only hope in the latter stages of the race to win the championship, and his actions have split the opinions of F1 fans around the world.

However non-executive chairman of Mercedes and three time world champion Niki Lauda has confirmed that Hamilton will face no penalty.

"There is no need to say anything to Lewis. We have no problem about how he raced in Abu Dhabi. We have drawn a line under it."

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • denis1304

    Posts: 284

    just hope they don't reward him by filling 2nd seat with number 2 driver and go for BIG name

    • + 0
    • Dec 4 2016 - 15:40
  • Sirhenry

    Posts: 759

    "Free to race"

    • + 0
    • Dec 4 2016 - 20:22
  • Wolfgang

    Posts: 313

    This is just okay as long as your 2nd driver obeys these orders. Try to imagine you´ve got 2 characters like lewis who don´t give a shit about teamorders and the team. Remembering Paddys statement at the autosport award with Nicos letting lewis past in Monaco. This says everything. They may now say it´s ok but i´m sure they don´t forget..

    I hope they bring up Alonso or another big name so they what this politics can lead to..

    • + 0
    • Dec 6 2016 - 09:11

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,566
  • Podiums 133
  • Grand Prix 234
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar