After a frustrating finish under the safety car at Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton supports the idea of using red flags more often to avoid race finishes without real suspense.
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Lewis Hamilton has sided with the drivers and fans calling for a change in the Formula 1 sporting regulations. The Ferrari driver believes that races should no longer be allowed to finish behind the safety car when conditions allow a return to racing.
The controversy resurfaced after the British Grand Prix, concluded under safety car conditions following an incident involving Max Verstappen in the final laps. This situation left part of the audience frustrated, as the race seemed capable of offering a spectacular finish.
The Briton believes the FIA should consider using the red flag more in these circumstances to ensure a genuine battle in the final kilometers.
“Yes, definitely” Hamilton replied when asked about the possibility of neutralizing a race with a red flag in the last laps to avoid a finish under the safety car.
The Abu Dhabi precedent still fresh in memory
The current regulation provides that after the announcement allowing lapped cars to overtake the safety car, one additional lap must be completed before the race restarts.
At Silverstone, this procedure prevented the competition from resuming on the last lap, leaving the drivers to cross the finish line behind the safety car.
This situation inevitably recalls the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton lost the world title to Max Verstappen after a restart decided under exceptional circumstances. At that time, only certain lapped drivers were allowed to overtake the safety car before an immediate race restart.
“Finishing behind the safety car is disappointing”
For Hamilton, the spectacle offered to spectators must remain a priority. The seven-time world champion believes that a finish under neutralization deprives fans of a potentially decisive moment.
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“It happened in Australia a few years ago. It was one of the best races” explained the Ferrari driver.
“In these situations, when you are leading, it is obviously not ideal, but it really gives fans the maximum experience.”
Hamilton is referring to the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, marked by a chaotic finish after a restart in the final laps, which offered a particularly lively spectacle.
“They have the power to do it, they have done it before. But finishing a race behind the safety car is simply… I would be disappointed.”
Ferrari aims for another victory at Spa
This stance comes as Hamilton arrives at Spa-Francorchamps with the goal of securing a second victory this season after his win in Barcelona.
The Briton, now a Ferrari driver, also remains attached to the Belgian circuit, where he won his last victory at Spa during his final season with Mercedes in 2024.
While the FIA regularly seeks to find a balance between safety and spectacle, Hamilton’s proposal could reignite the debate on managing race finishes when the safety car intervenes in the final moments of a Grand Prix.
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