Mexico Grand Prix: Chaotic Start and Controversial Penalties
The Mexico Grand Prix kicked off with a whirlwind of action as Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton all found themselves off the track in the early stages of the race. Hamilton, who secured a third-place starting position, engaged in an intense battle with Verstappen. This fierce competition led to Hamilton’s brakes locking up, causing him to veer off course and use the escape road. He managed to rejoin the race in third place at Turn 5.
The incidents at Turns 1 and 4, where Verstappen also went off track, caught the attention of race officials. Subsequently, Hamilton received a mandatory 10-second penalty for his early off-track excursion. This decision was communicated to him on Lap 15, and he served the penalty nine laps later, causing frustration among fans and pundits alike.
Hamilton expressed his dismay over the penalty during a radio exchange with his team, calling it "such s***." His race engineer, Ricardo Adami, informed him of the penalty, which Hamilton strongly disagreed with, stating, "The grip is so small there; the grip is so low." This situation marks yet another setback for the seven-time champion, who has continuously faced challenges this season.
As the race unfolded, fans quickly took to social media to voice their frustrations regarding the controversial decision. One fan pointed out perceived bias, tweeting, "David Croft had no issues when Leclerc and Verstappen went off track to gain a position, but when Hamilton does it, suddenly it’s a problem. Says everything about the so-called ‘British bias’." Another fan remarked, "Charles cuts the corner and gains an advantage with no investigation… Hamilton does something, and it’s an immediate investigation. OK, LOL." A third fan questioned, "What about when Max did this a few corners back or at the start of the race?" One comment succinctly summed up the sentiment: "That Hamilton penalty is insane."
After serving his penalty, Hamilton returned to the track in 14th place, having been in third prior. Meanwhile, Lando Norris surged ahead, aiming to close the gap on his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. Piastri, currently at risk of losing his second-place standing in the Drivers’ Championship, had fallen as low as 11th but was now chasing George Russell in the top five.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Mexico Grand Prix continues to unfold!
