Lewis Hamilton has sparked a debate about double standards at the FIA after making a gesture towards Franco Colapinto during the Miami Grand Prix – Hamilton became embroiled in a fresh Formula 1 controversy after the Miami Grand Prix, when onboard footage showed him giving Colapinto the middle finger during their clash on the opening lap.
The incident went unpunished by the FIA, prompting criticism from Max Verstappen’s team mate and GT endurance racer Dani Juncadella, who accused the governing body of being inconsistent in the way it penalises drivers.
Hamilton expressed frustration following an early collision in Miami
The incident occurred during the chaotic opening stages of the Miami Grand Prix, when Hamilton was battling with Alpine rookie Franco Colapinto for position. The pair made contact, leaving Hamilton’s Ferrari with visible aerodynamic damage that compromised his race pace for the rest of the event.
Speaking after the race, the seven-time world champion admitted that the collision had significantly impacted his performance.
“First, I was unlucky because I lost positions due to Max’s spin. Then there was the collision with Franco, which caused me to lose a lot of downforce.”
Hamilton’s frustration was evident inside the cockpit. Although this was not shown during the live world feed, onboard footage later circulated widely on social media, showing the Ferrari driver raising his middle finger towards Colapinto immediately after the collision.
This quickly became a talking point among fans and drivers, especially given the FIA’s recent stricter stance on sporting conduct and behaviour standards across motorsport categories.
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Dani Juncadella has accused the FIA of inconsistency
Among those to react publicly was Spanish endurance driver Dani Juncadella, who currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship and has also raced alongside Max Verstappen in GT events.
Juncadella questioned why Hamilton escaped punishment, given that the FIA had previously fined him for a similar gesture during the Bahrain 8 Hours event last season.
Reacting to the footage on social media, Juncadella wrote:
“I suppose there was no penalty here? FIA double standards… They never disappoint.”
The Spaniard later clarified that he was not offended by Hamilton’s actions themselves, but rather by what he saw as the inconsistent application of the rules.
“I don’t think it’s a problem at all, but he should also get a €2,000 fine, like I did.”
His comments have reignited the wider debate about the consistency of FIA stewarding decisions — an issue that has repeatedly arisen in Formula 1 and other FIA-sanctioned championships in recent seasons.
FIA scrutiny of driver behaviour remains controversial
The FIA has increasingly focused on driver conduct both on and off the track. Competitors have faced warnings, fines and sanctions for gestures, language and public comments deemed inappropriate.
This tougher approach has not always been universally welcomed by drivers or fans, many of whom believe that emotional reactions are part of elite-level motorsport competition.
Hamilton’s case is likely to attract further scrutiny because, despite not being highlighted during the live broadcast, the incident was clearly visible on onboard footage. The lack of any investigation or sanction has inevitably led to questions about whether Formula 1’s biggest stars are judged differently to competitors in other FIA categories.
This debate comes at a sensitive time for the FIA, as criticism of stewarding consistency has continued throughout the 2026 season.
Hamilton still salvages strong result for Ferrari
Despite sustaining early damage, Hamilton managed to recover to sixth position by the end of the Miami Grand Prix. His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc initially finished ahead of him, but received a 20-second post-race penalty for repeatedly exceeding track limits late in the race.
This promoted Hamilton one place higher in the final classification.
While Ferrari showed encouraging pace at times during the Miami weekend, Hamilton’s frustration after the race highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles to consistently compete at the front in 2026.
However, the controversy surrounding his gesture towards Colapinto may ultimately overshadow Ferrari’s result, especially as scrutiny intensifies over how the FIA applies its rules across different championships and drivers.
FIA under pressure
Incidents involving Lewis Hamilton rarely pass unnoticed in Formula 1, particularly when they touch on the consistency of the FIA’s governance and stewarding. Juncadella’s criticism has amplified concerns that penalties for sporting conduct may not always be applied evenly across motorsport categories.
With the FIA already under pressure regarding its officiating decisions in Formula 1, the Miami controversy is likely to fuel further debate about transparency and consistency, and about whether high-profile drivers receive different treatment from the sport’s governing body.
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Clara Marlowe is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with over 15 years of experience in motorsport journalism, having contributed features to established sports magazines such as Evo, MCN, Wisden Cricket Monthly and other digital outlets.
Clara specialises in human-interest storytelling, focusing on the individuals behind the sport, including drivers, engineers, and team personnel whose roles are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
At TJ13, Clara contributes long-form features and narrative-driven pieces that explore the personal and professional journeys within Formula 1. This includes coverage of career-defining moments, internal team dynamics, and the human impact of high-pressure competition.
Clara’s work brings depth and perspective to the sport, complementing news and analysis with stories that highlight the people behind the machinery.
Clara has a particular interest in how personal narratives intersect with performance, and how individual experiences shape outcomes across a Formula 1 season.
