Lewis Hamilton Criticizes “Nuts” Penalty Decision

Lewis Hamilton expressed his frustration regarding the penalty he received during the Mexican Grand Prix. He called the decision “kind of nuts,” particularly since he believed other drivers committed similar infractions without facing similar consequences.

Incident Overview

The penalty in question was a 10-second sanction handed to Hamilton after he rejoined the track at Turn 4 ahead of Max Verstappen. Although Hamilton claimed that he attempted to adhere to the rules, the officials deemed that he gained a “lasting advantage” by overtaking Verstappen and did not relinquish the position promptly.

Race Dynamics

• Hamilton finished the race in eighth place, significantly impacting his chances for a podium finish.
• His teammate, Charles Leclerc, maintained his position despite also cutting the Turn 1 chicane.
• Max Verstappen also rejoined the circuit after violating track limits but was not penalized.

Immediately after the incident, Hamilton expressed his discontent on the team radio, stating, “That’s such bulls—, man!” He emphasized that he felt he wasn’t treated consistently compared to other drivers who had similar track violations.

Frustration Over Track Limit Enforcement

Hamilton explained that he had a solid start and navigated the early turns without issue. He noted how others managed to avoid penalties while he received a substantial sanction. “It’s pretty nuts,” he summarized.

Response from Ferrari Team Principal

Fred Vasseur, the Ferrari team principal, also criticized the decision. He remarked that the 10-second penalty severely affected their strategy and likely cost them a fourth-place finish.

The Stewards’ Rationale

The race stewards acknowledged that Hamilton’s speed impeded him from following the designated escape route. However, they maintained that he gained a lasting advantage by overtaking Verstappen, which justified the penalty. Their official statement emphasized that while he did not breach race director notes, the advantage gained warranted the penalty.

Key Takeaways

• Hamilton received a 10-second penalty for violating track limits at Turn 4.
• He was critical of the inconsistency in penalty enforcement among drivers.
• Vasseur highlighted the impact of penalties on race outcomes.

The Mexican Grand Prix concluded with Hamilton finishing significantly lower than anticipated, leading to questions about the fairness of the regulations and their enforcement in Formula 1.