Canadian sprint sees Hamilton cleared, Hulkenberg and Perez penalised
The FIA opened a post-race investigation into Lewis Hamilton following the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix Sprint to examine whether he left the track and gained a sporting advantage.
During the Sprint Hamilton left the track at Turn 13/the final chicane while battling Oscar Piastri and rejoined the track ahead of Piastri.
Lewis Hamilton is listed as Car 44; Oscar Piastri is listed as Car 81.
The stewards reviewed telemetry, video and radio communications during their investigation into Hamilton’s off-track excursion.
The FIA stewards concluded Hamilton did not gain a “lasting advantage” and therefore did not penalise him.
The stewards said Oscar Piastri was not in an overtaking position when Hamilton rejoined the track, and therefore Hamilton was not considered to be defending when he ran through the Turn 13 chicane.
Earlier in the same Sprint Nico Hülkenberg left the track at Turn 13 while defending against Liam Lawson and rejoined ahead of Lawson.
Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) was given a 10-second time penalty for that incident.
The stewards judged Hülkenberg had “gained and retained a sporting advantage” (RaceFans reported the rejoin and failure to give the position back produced a “lasting sporting advantage”).
The stewards explained the differing outcomes by reference to whether a driver gained and retained a lasting sporting advantage and by the on-track context such as whether an opponent was alongside or whether the driver was defending.
Hamilton lost fourth to Oscar Piastri on the final lap and was also passed by Charles Leclerc, ultimately finishing sixth in the 23-lap Sprint.
George Russell won the Sprint; Lando Norris finished second and Kimi Antonelli third (background context).
The stewards adjudicated multiple incidents at the Montreal Sprint, including penalties for Sergio Perez (10-second penalty for forcing Liam Lawson off the track) and an investigation into Esteban Ocon for a possible tyre-pressure infringement (additional context reported by RaceFans).
