Ferrari fined twice after tyre procedure breach during Belgian Grand Prix practice

Ferrari has been handed two separate €5,000 fines after breaching the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations during Friday practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The infringements related to both Charles Leclerc's and Lewis Hamilton's cars after the team failed to return the tyres used during the opening practice session to the FIA's appointed tyre supplier before the start of Free Practice 2.

According to the FIA stewards, Ferrari breached Article B6.4.2 of the Formula 1 Regulations in both cases.

For Leclerc's car, the stewards stated: "The team failed to physically return electronically returned tyres to the appointed tyre supplier before the start of Free Practice 2."

An identical finding was issued for Hamilton's car. As a result, Ferrari received a €5,000 fine for each infringement, bringing the total financial penalty to €10,000.

In explaining the decision, the stewards revealed that Ferrari admitted the mistake during the hearing.

"The Stewards heard from the team representative of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton) who acknowledged the breach and attributed it to an oversight."

The FIA determined that the breach was procedural rather than an attempt to gain a sporting advantage, opting to impose financial penalties without any sporting sanctions against either driver.