Hamilton reviews Mexico penalty while Ferrari criticizes it as harsh
Lewis Hamilton faced disappointment in the recent Mexico City Grand Prix after receiving a penalty in a controversial incident with Max Verstappen. This penalty, a 10-second time addition, was labeled as “harsh” by Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur.
Mexico City Grand Prix Incident
The race showcased a gripping battle on lap six, where Hamilton defended his third position against Verstappen. The tension escalated when Verstappen made a move at Turn 1, which the stewards deemed fair. However, he cut across the grass to rejoin the track ahead of Hamilton after exceeding the limits at Turn 3.
As Hamilton attempted to reclaim his position, he lost control and cut across the grass at Turn 4. He rejoined the race in front of Verstappen, but this maneuver led to the penalty issued against Hamilton for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
- Penalty: 10 seconds
- Final Position: 8th place
- Lap of incident: Lap 6
Reactions from Hamilton and Ferrari
After the race, Hamilton reflected on the incident, stating, “It was fun at the start and didn’t end up the way I had hoped.” When asked about the possibility of performing better, he said, “It’s very dirty offline… I did the best I could.”
Vasseur acknowledged the penalty but expressed concerns regarding its severity. He commented, “The penalty for Lewis, I think it is a bit harsh.” He felt that Hamilton lost control due to tricky conditions and that the 10-second penalty disproportionately affected their race, leading to lost positions for the team.
Implications for Ferrari
This penalty not only impacted Hamilton but also disrupted Ferrari’s strategy, as they were vying for what seemed like a potential podium finish. Vasseur concluded by noting that while it’s challenging to speculate on the outcome without the penalty, Hamilton’s position was advantageous until the ruling affected their standing.
