Lewis Hamilton has avoided a significant penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix after a post-race rules breach regarding his safety belts, escaping with a €5,000 fine. The race winner stopped on track to pick up a Brazilian flag from a steward, undoing his safety belts in the process, breaching Appendix L Chapter III Article 4 of the FIA's International Sporting Code. The specific article reads: "Drivers must be properly restrained in their seat by safety belts in conformity with the Technical Regulations for the vehicle concerned, at all times during a competition when it is mobile on a circuit, pit lane, special stage or competition course." Hamilton has been fined €5,000 for his actions, with an additional €20,000 which is suspended through the end of 2022. Hamilton's victory at Interlagos cut title rival Max Verstappen's lead from 21 points to 14, with three races remaining in 2021.

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