Lewis Hamilton triggers furious radio outburst from Alex Albon after nearly causing a high-speed collision during Saudi Arabia practice session

During the second practice session in Saudi Arabia, Formula 1 fans witnessed a tense moment that left one driver seething.

Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari after a surprising £40million move from Mercedes, was involved in a near-miss with Williams’ Alex Albon on the track.

Albon, who was pushing hard during his hot lap, was forced to take evasive action when he encountered Hamilton’s slower Ferrari, triggering a fiery response.

Albon’s Frustration and Radio Outburst

As soon as the incident occurred, Albon quickly backed off, visibly frustrated.

He vented his anger over the radio, calling the situation “f***ing dangerous,” highlighting how close the two cars came to colliding.

This incident sparked an immediate investigation by the race stewards in Jeddah, who needed to determine whether Hamilton’s actions warranted a penalty.

Stewards’ Investigation and Decision

After reviewing the incident, the stewards chose not to penalize Hamilton.

Their decision was based on an understanding agreed upon with the teams, where impeding in free practice sessions wouldn’t result in penalties unless it was deemed dangerous.

In their explanation, the stewards clarified that while Albon felt the situation was dangerous in the moment, upon further review, he agreed that there was no actual danger.

Albon admitted he had seen Hamilton’s car ahead before the corner, but the positioning caught him off guard when he reached Turn 17, forcing him to take evasive measures.

Hamilton’s Performance in the Session

The incident wasn’t the only challenge Hamilton faced during the session.

He ended up finishing 13th, a significant gap behind his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, who was over six-tenths faster.

It was a frustrating session for the seven-time world champion, who struggled to match his teammate’s pace on the Jeddah circuit.

Insights from Williams Team Principal

Williams’ team principal, James Vowles, commented on the situation after the session, stating that the incident was not intentional.

However, he cautioned that such moments of blocking might continue throughout the weekend, particularly on certain parts of the track, such as between Turns 5 and 8.

According to Vowles, these sections are especially challenging because they are blind spots, leaving drivers with little room to react when another car is in their way.

He emphasized the importance of being cautious to avoid accidents and urged everyone to address the issue more strongly going forward.

Looking Ahead to the Weekend

While this particular flashpoint was resolved without punishment, it highlighted the challenges and risks inherent in high-speed racing.

As the weekend progresses, it’s clear that similar situations could arise again, making it essential for teams and drivers to remain vigilant and mindful of track conditions.

The outcome of this incident may have been resolved without penalty, but it serves as a reminder of the fine line drivers walk during such intense practice sessions.