Hamilton Faces Criticism Over Slow Driving in Madrid Practice

During Friday's practice session at the Madring circuit, Lewis Hamilton attracted criticism from several Formula 1 drivers for his slow laps, which they claimed hindered their performance.

Yuki Tsunoda responded to Hamilton with a thumbs-up that was interpreted as sarcastic, while Carlos Sainz expressed frustration over the radio, stating that Hamilton did not attempt to clear the racing line. Nico Hulkenberg described another incident involving Hamilton as unpleasant. Former driver Ralf Schumacher also criticized Hamilton's driving, labeling it unsportsmanlike.

No penalties were issued for Hamilton's actions on Friday, but the situation may complicate traffic management as drivers prepare for qualifying on Saturday. The new circuit has prompted teams to advise caution, with Aston Martin's Mike Krack emphasizing the importance of conserving cars. George Russell noted that the risk of accidents could increase as speeds rise, highlighting that mistakes at Madring occur at much higher velocities compared to Monaco.