Hamilton risks F1 Singapore GP grid penalty after red flag breach

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton is under investigation for alleged speeding under a red flag at Formula 1's Singapore Grand Prix.

Saturday afternoon's third practice session at the Singapore Marina Bay circuit was red-flagged after 17 minutes for a crash by Liam Lawson, who hit the barriers at Turn 7 exit after losing control over his Racing Bulls car by bottoming out over the kerbs.

It was Lawson's second crash in consecutive session, putting the New Zealander on the back foot into qualifying.

But the incident may also have consequences for Hamilton, who is under investigation for his driving under Lawson's red flag. Onboard images show Hamilton passing Lawson's stationary car ahead of Turn 8, before picking up the pace over the second half of the lap as he made his way back to the pitlane.

Per Article 37.6 of F1's sporting regulations "all cars must immediately reduce speed and proceed slowly back to the pitlane" in the case of a red flag.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

To help them slow sufficiently, drivers must stay above the minimum time displayed on their dashboard at least once in each marshalling sector. Hamilton and his Ferrari team have been summoned to the stewards to explain the incident at 7pm local Singapore time, ahead of qualifying.

The FIA usually takes a dim view of red flag infringements or any other safety related incidents, and if Hamilton is confirmed to be found in breach of the regulations he will likely face a grid drop and penalty points on his licence.

Ferrari visited the stewards earlier this weekend after Charles Leclerc was sent out of the pitlane in the path of Lando Norris during FP2, damaging the McLaren's front wing. Ferrari was handed a €10,000 fine for the unsafe release.