Hamilton receives second reprimand of 2018 after FP1 pit miss

Lewis Hamilton has picked up his second reprimand of the 2018 Formula 1 season after crossing the white lines in the pit entry at the end of FP1.

The newly-crowned five-time F1 champion locked up and crossed the white lines at the entrance to the pit stop at the end of FP1 and has received his second reprimand of the year.

The FIA Stewards confirmed the decision is “consistent with penalties imposed for other similar incidents” having handed Hamilton a reprimand for an identical incident during the German Grand Prix earlier this year.

“The Stewards reviewed video evidence and telemetry, noting that on entering the pit lane after the end of FP1, Car 44 locked up and crossed the white line at the entrance to the pits,” the FIA Stewards statement confirmed.

Hamilton will not face any further action or potential grid drops for the incident.

The Mercedes driver, who ended Friday practice fourth fastest on the combined times, stopped on track and reversed on track to enter the pits but was not penalised for reversing as the session was deemed over as the chequered flag had been shown.

Speaking before the reprimand was confirmed, Hamilton was satisfied with his Friday practice pace gains in FP2 despite being beaten by both Red Bull drivers and his teammate Valtteri Bottas.

“Overall, it’s been a good day; even though the first session was not great,” Hamilton said. “The track was very green in the beginning, so there was a lot of sliding around and – just like everyone else – we were struggling with the tyres.

“There’s a big difference in track temperature between the two sessions; the conditions in FP2 are much more representative of qualifying and the race, so in that respect FP1 and FP3 don’t really tell you a whole lot.

“We made some really good changes over the break and I was much happier with the car in FP2, but there’s still a lot of work to do. Red Bull looked quick today, they’re usually fast in practice and in the race, so I have no doubts it will be the same this weekend.”

Hamilton and Mercedes are also confident his engine worries have been resolved despite fears of an issue following the Brazilian Grand Prix.