Lewis Hamilton expressed his frustration following a controversial penalty at the Mexican Grand Prix. He deemed the decision “kind of nuts” given the circumstances surrounding his race and the actions of other drivers.
Details of the Penalty
During the race, Hamilton received a 10-second penalty for track violations at Turn 4. The stewards determined he had rejoined the track ahead of Max Verstappen, gaining a “lasting advantage” without relinquishing his position. This penalty significantly affected Hamilton, pushing him from a strong position to finish in eighth place.
Comparative Incidents
- Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, also cut a corner but faced no repercussions.
- Verstappen made a similar error by going off-track and rejoining without a penalty.
- Hamilton highlighted these inconsistencies, suggesting he was treated unfairly compared to his competitors.
Immediately after the incident, Hamilton expressed his disbelief on the radio, saying, “That’s such bulls—, man!” He mentioned that he had achieved a strong start and navigated several turns cleanly, unlike other drivers who did receive penalties for similar actions.
Reactions to the Decision
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, echoed Hamilton’s sentiment, questioning the severity of the penalty. He remarked that the decision cost them a potential P4 finish and noted that similar infractions by others went unpunished.
Steward’s Verdict
After reviewing the incident, the stewards acknowledged that Hamilton’s speed affected his ability to properly utilize the escape road. Despite this, they maintained the penalty was justified due to the advantage gained by not giving back his position after leaving the track.
The ruling stated: “The driver gained a lasting advantage, overtaking Car 1 (VER) and failing to give back the position thereafter.” This situation has sparked discussions about the consistency of penalty enforcement in Formula 1, particularly at tracks where conditions can lead to confusion regarding track limits.
