F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Makes Strong Statement After Huge FIA Rule Change

Lewis Hamilton isn't letting this pass easily.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton reacted to the news which stated that the FIA had quadrupled the maximum fine amount that can be handed to the drivers in Formula 1. Joining him were drivers Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Kevin Magnussen. 

Making it quite clear, Hamilton stated that he wouldn't ever pay the massive fine amount that the governing body set for Formula 1 drivers unless the money was spent on a good cause. 

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After 12 years, the FIA World Motor Sport Council raised the ceiling that a driver can be fined for breaking the rules. However, the increase is neither marginal nor double. It is a massive four times higher than the previous limit which means that the stewards are in a position to fine the drivers up to one million euros or £871k.

Responding to the change, Hamilton stated:

"When it comes to things like this, we really need to be thinking [about] the message that that sends out to those that are watching.

"There's a lot of money in this whole industry and there's a lot more that we need to do in terms of creating better accessibility, better diversity, more opportunities for people who don't or wouldn't normally have a chance to get into a sport like this – so many causes around the world. That's the only way they'll get that million from me."

What The Other Drivers Said

Leclerc also mentioned that the amount was too huge to be aimed at anybody:

"It's a huge amount of money.

"I have no idea about what deserves a one-million-euro penalty, but it's more than... I mean, some drivers are making less than that."

Verstappen meanwhile mixed his response with a joke by mentioning an incident from the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix when he touched the rear wing of Hamilton's car. He said:

"Well, if touching a rear wing is 50,000 euros, then I would like to know what one million is – then maybe we can sponsor also the bottles of wine."

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen revealed that he would disappear if fined 1m euros. He said:

"I don't know what it is to be one million, but that sounds ridiculous.

"I mean, Charles can give his watch, but I would disappear, never to be found again."

Justifying the huge increase in the fine amount, the governing body stated that the previous fine limit did not reflect the needs of the motorsport as of today since it was not amended for the last twelve years.