Lewis Hamilton rages at Sergio Perez during Austrian GP as FIA clamp down

Lewis Hamilton raged at Sergio Perez in a team radio meltdown at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Mercedes star lost his temper after FIA bosses failed to punish the Red Bull star for breaking track limits rules. Hamilton had already been hit with a five-second penalty for repeatedly crossing the line at turn 10. 

But, the seven-time champion was annoyed as he clearly felt penalties were not being handed out fairly. He told race engineer Peter Bonnington: “Yep, Perez went off at turn 10. If they’re dishing these things out they might as well know.”

He later added: “This guy has been off every single time, turn 10 again.” Perez was eventually handed a track limits violation at turn nine but was not issued a time penalty.

Hamilton was not the only driver to fall foul of the rules as FIA stewards continued to clamp down. Ferrari star Carlos Sainz was also issued a five-second penalty, while Yuki Tsunoda was also punished. 

Alex Albon, Nyck de Vries, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were also among the drivers handed sanctions during the course of the Grand Prix. Lando Norris had repeatedly complained about Hamilton’s offending before the Mercedes driver was hit with a penalty. 

Norris said: “He’s going off every lap everywhere. I’m not going to talk the whole time.” But Hamilton was furious with the decision, calling on his team to investigate the incident. 

He asked: “Just have a look at those because some of those are bull**** calls.” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff took to the radio to calm down Hamilton and reassure him of the situation. 

McLaren engineer Will Joseph encouraged Norris to stay within the boundaries as the squad sniffed a chance at strong points. He urged the Briton over team radio: “I know you’ll hate me but we must be within track limits every lap. There is so much going on.”