Hamilton gave back Brazil position needlessly, stewards rule

Lewis Hamilton handed a position back to Oliver Bearman during the São Paulo Grand Prix while the pair's opening-lap incident at Turn 5 was under investigation. The stewards investigated whether Hamilton had left the track to gain an advantage after he ran wide while attempting an overtake around the outside.

The stewards reviewed in-car footage and found that Bearman's defensive move had pushed Hamilton off the circuit to avoid a collision. They concluded that Hamilton had the momentum to complete the pass and gained no advantage by going off track, so no further action was taken.

The ruling meant Hamilton had no obligation to surrender the place. His decision to give it back, made to avoid a possible penalty, was therefore unnecessary.