Liam Lawson learns stewards' verdict after Silverstone investigation

Liam Lawson has kept his point-scoring result from the Silverstone sprint race following an investigation from the F1 stewards.

Lawson was placed under scrutiny following a battle with Isack Hadjar during Saturday's outing, as replays showed that he appeared to close the gap into Turn 15 as Hadjar attempted to complete an overtake.

Hadjar criticised the move over team radio before Lawson went on to cross the line in eighth place.

After the stewards heard from Lawson and deliberated the matter, they decided that Lawson should be issued a warning.

A full statement from the stewards read: “The driver of Car 30 stated that, at the relevant time, he was still at full throttle and had not yet commenced braking, and that the movement of the car was part of deceleration and preparation for the corner rather than a movement under braking.

“The driver of Car 6 stated that the move by Car 30 was sharp, but also that sufficient room was left and that contact was avoided. In his view, the incident did not merit a penalty. 

“He also referred to the fact that the two cars were on different energy levels, which made the closing speed difficult to judge. 

“The Stewards accept that this was not a case of a significant change of direction after the braking phase had clearly commenced, and also accept that Car 30 left sufficient room for Car 6 to ensure that no contact occurred. 

“The Stewards also accept that the different energy states of the two cars made the closing speed into the corner more difficult for the driver of Car 30 to assess.

“However, the Stewards considered that the defensive move by Car 30 was sufficiently late and abrupt that it warranted a formal caution. 

“Although the Stewards were not satisfied that the circumstances justified a stronger penalty, they considered that the move was marginally over the limit of what is acceptable when defending into a corner.

“Accordingly, the Stewards impose a Warning on the driver of Car 30.”