Hamilton critiques stewards’ corner-cutting penalty during Mexico City Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has criticised Formula One stewards for handing him a 10-second penalty during the Mexico City Grand Prix, calling the decision “kind of nuts” after he was the only driver punished for cutting a corner in what he described as a fair racing battle with Max Verstappen, reports BritPanorama.
The seven-time world champion clashed with his long-time rival early in Sunday’s race while fighting for third place. The two went wheel-to-wheel through the opening sequence of turns before Verstappen ran wide at Turn 3.
As they approached Turn 4, Hamilton attempted to overtake on the outside but locked up under braking, cutting the corner across the grass and rejoining the track ahead of Verstappen. The stewards assessed that Hamilton had “left the track and gained a lasting advantage,” resulting in the 10-second time penalty that ultimately placed him eighth at the chequered flag.
“It felt like racing,” Hamilton said afterwards. “I was fine there, it was just the cutting. Then I’m the only one to get a 10-second penalty. It was kind of nuts.” Hamilton faced two separate investigations for the incident. The first examined whether he had failed to follow the race director’s instructions to use the designated run-off route. Officials concluded that he approached the corner too quickly to follow the prescribed line safely, so no punishment was issued on that count.
However, the stewards decided that by rejoining the track ahead of Verstappen without surrendering the position, Hamilton had gained an advantage. In their report, they explained: “Car 44 (Hamilton) locked brakes, left the track at Turn 4 and used the grass area while rejoining in the direction of Turn 5.” Earlier in the race, Hamilton and Verstappen had made light contact at Turn 1 as Verstappen sought to dive on the inside.
The stewards classified the clash between Hamilton and Verstappen as a “racing incident.” Verstappen also went off at Turn 3, cutting across the corner before rejoining, but was not penalised. “Car 1 (Verstappen) overtook Car 44 (Hamilton) on the inside of Turn 1,” the report stated. “At the apex, Verstappen’s front axle was clearly in front of Hamilton’s mirror, and therefore Verstappen was entitled to the racing line.”
Mercedes star George Russell expressed confusion following the race regarding the stewarding decisions, questioning why Verstappen escaped sanction for cutting corners earlier. Verstappen, who started fifth, locked up on the run to Turn 1 and still managed to rejoin ahead of Russell and Hamilton. “I don’t understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and just continue in the position they entered,” Russell said. “It’s like allowing you to risk everything and have a get-out-of-jail-free card if you get it wrong.”
Reflecting on Hamilton’s penalty, Russell concluded that while Hamilton was correctly penalised, the context of Verstappen’s actions also warranted scrutiny. “It was just the wrong place and wrong time for me, and I lost three positions. I was pretty frustrated, but it all stemmed from Lap 1.”
In the high-stakes world of Formula One, the fine margins of racing can provoke fierce debate, as Hamilton’s penalty illustrates the ongoing challenges within the sport’s regulations. This incident may become yet another chapter in the evolving narrative of this intense rivalry.
