After the conclusion of the opening day of the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, stewards reviewed the events that unfolded. Following a thorough examination of the evidence and hearing Lewis Hamilton’s account, they reached the following conclusion: “Car 2 (Sargeant) was forced to deviate from the track in order to avoid a collision. Failure to take such action would have resulted in a severe and high-speed crash.
Upon reviewing the team radio communications, it became evident that the team of Car 44 failed to notify their driver of the presence of Car 2 approaching on a fast lap. This negligence on the part of the team is particularly concerning given the high speeds on this circuit and the challenging nature of turn 11, which is situated at the end of a series of high-speed corners where driver visibility is compromised. As a result, the stewards have issued a warning to the driver and imposed a fine of €15,000 on the team.”
The incident occurred during FP2 when Hamilton was unaware of Sargeant’s rapid approach into Turn 11, with the Mercedes occupying the racing line. Following discussions with both drivers after the session, the stewards determined that Mercedes had failed to inform Hamilton of the approaching Williams car at high speed. The presence of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari further complicated the situation. Sargeant’s skillful maneuver prevented a collision with the wall.
A video clip captured the intense moment when Logan Sargeant narrowly avoided a potentially hazardous situation.