Lewis Hamilton says he didn’t feel that he was singled out by the FIA due to his ‘role model’ status following the governing body’s decision to revisit his track crossing sanction in Qatar.
Shortly after his run-in with Mercedes teammate George Russell at the start of the race at Lusail, Hamilton crossed the track, oblivious of the fact that it was still under a ‘live’ situation.
The Briton was subsequently reprimanded for his action by the Stewards and handed a €50,000 fine, with half of the amount suspended.
However, in the days following the race, the FIA announced that it would review the incident and the penalty imposed on the seven-time world champion, stating that it was concerned about the impression the actions of a “role model” such as Hamilton “may have created on younger drivers”.
Queried in Austin on Thursday on the FIA’s initiative, Hamilton did not consider that the governing body’s action was the least bit discriminatory, despite the emphasis on “role model” in its statement.
"No, I don't think I was singled out," Hamilton said. "I think ultimately it was just poor communication. I don't think what they had said is exactly what they meant.
"I think what they mean is that they're just gonna look into how they can tackle those sorts of things moving forwards to make sure that doesn't happen.
"I think there was a karting incident recently where a kid was hit, so we really need to make sure that we're continuously focusing on safety.
"I think that's really at the core at the root of it, but I just think they probably need to speak to their PR agent to do a better job."
Hamilton conceded that crossing the track – despite not putting himself in harm’s way –
was wrong.
"They [the FIA] have spoken to me and their actual point is important. When I sat in the meeting with them in the stewards' office, obviously I put my hands up in the heat of the moment, it was the wrong decision," he added.
"What's important is to send the right message, particularly for the younger drivers throughout the ages, that that's not the thing to do.
"I apologised at the time and I think they're just looking to how to make sure that doesn't happen moving forward."
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