An onboard clip showed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton raising his middle finger at Alpine driver Franco Colapinto after a first-lap collision at turn 11 in the Miami Grand Prix. The contact ran Hamilton wide and damaged his Ferrari SF-26, which Ferrari said reduced downforce and hampered the car’s performance for the rest of the event. Hamilton recovered to finish sixth.

The FIA chose not to impose a reprimand or fine for the gesture, and the lack of retrospective sanction drew criticism and comparison with earlier penalties. Commentators labeled the gesture unsporting and many fans defended Hamilton.

Dani Juncadella publicly accused the FIA of inconsistent treatment, noting he had received a suspended €5,000 fine for making the same gesture at the WEC season finale in Bahrain and pointing to Max Verstappen’s community-service order for swearing during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. Juncadella said he did not think Hamilton’s behavior was right but argued any penalty should match what he received and suggested a €2,000 fine as a fair outcome.

Pundit James Hinchcliffe warned the next two rounds were crucial if Hamilton hoped to match teammate Charles Leclerc after being outpaced in Miami, and Hamilton abandoned Ferrari’s simulator ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.