Lewis Hamilton blames F1 rules for Baku near-miss: ‘Not the drivers’ fault'

Lewis Hamilton has attributed his near-miss with Liam Lawson during the second practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to the new engine regulations introduced for the 2026 season. Hamilton was on an out-lap and harvesting energy when Lawson, on a hot lap, had to take evasive action to avoid a collision, leading to Lawson's furious reaction over team radio. Both drivers have been summoned by the stewards for an investigation into the incident.

Hamilton explained that the current rules leave drivers with significantly reduced power during out-laps, which can create dangerous situations on track. He expressed his frustration with the lack of guidelines regarding closing speeds and suggested that discussions should take place among drivers to address these issues. Hamilton hopes that a solution can be found to prevent similar incidents in the future.