For a second, let’s put Williams’ rookie driver, Logan Sargeant, in Hamilton’s shoes. Imagine he breaches the safety regulations like the Mercedes driver did at Lusail. However, FIA’s new directives are in place. In this hypothetical situation, Sargeant would lose out on all fronts. In his rookie year, he earned $2,00,000 less than his teammate Alex Albon. Earning $1 million in 2023, the new penalty would have him in a detrimental deficit. However, barring the new fine, Sargeant did cross the live track at the Japanese Grand Prix but was unpunished. F1 drivers have, therefore, voiced a collective criticism of the increased fine.

The new directive has come just short of the United States Grand Prix. Instead of the star-spangled event at the Circuit of The Americas, the limelight has shifted to the extensive $1,000,000 fine. And the grid is bustling with annoyance.

Baffled by the ‘ridiculous’ move, George Russell fires at FIA

Lewis Hamilton’s penalty was a by-product of his crash with his teammate George Russell. However, with FIA backtracking and releasing new directives, the safety regulation breach has taken center stage. And it is not great news for the young drivers. With first-hand knowledge of the increased fines, the drivers have expressed their shock.

The Mercedes driver was heavily critical of FIA’s move. Reflecting on his own pay grade as a rookie in Formula 1, Russell called the move ridiculous, adding, “In my first year of Formula 1, I was on a five-figure salary and I actually lost more than six figures in that first year from paying for my coach, flights, an assistant. And that’s probably the case for 25% from the grid.”

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The Briton elaborated, “We’re doing what we love, so we’re not complaining about it. But if you take a year’s salary from a pilot who is probably losing more than 100,000 euros by the end of the year because of the investments he has to make, you fine them one million. What will happen?”

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc joined Russell in his disapproval, “It is a huge amount of money, so again, I have no idea about what deserves a $1 million penalty – but it’s more than… I mean, some drivers are making less than that, so it’s a lot of money and… yeah… I don’t know.”

Kevin Magnussen, the Haas driver, earns $5 million a year. Simple calculations would point to the fine being one-fifth of the Danish Driver’s salary. Sardonic wit not lost on him, Magnussen said, “Yeah, I don’t know what offence it is to be a million but that sounds ridiculous. I mean, Charles can give his watch – but I would disappear, never to be found again.”

“That Was My Fault, I’m Very Sorry”: Lewis Hamilton’s Smart Move Saved Mercedes Post Collision With George Russell, James Allison

On the other end of Formula 1, the FIA have given their reasons. Although purely logical, the sum of money is utterly nonsensical, according to the drivers.

Why the increased fines?

One could argue that the stringent punishment by FIA is to avoid the replication of the unfortunate African Grand Prix of 1977. Perhaps, the governing body could have issued the new penalty in view of the accident that happened during the World Karting Championship. One million is a big enough sum to instill fear in the drivers. However, in crashes with the impact of 51-G’s, it is unlikely that saving a million dollars would even cross their minds. Formula 1 is about adrenaline and adrenaline during the race sees no logic and no rules.

However, FIA released a statement for the change in the International Sporting Code. After the meeting in Geneva, the maximum fine of €250,000 was increased to a million euros.

The former amount had not been changed or reviewed in the past 12 years. The issue was brought to light, with Lewis Hamilton breaching the safety conduct at Lusail. In their statement, the FIA reflected that the previous amount “does not reflect the current needs of motorsport.”

Formula 1 has a murky past with the issuing of fines and penalties. Do you think the updated million euro fine is fair?

WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton Gets Past Flashbacks Against George Russell at the 2023 Spanish GP