F1 Mexican Grand Prix start sparks debate over Turn 1 fairness and safety. The start of the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix once again highlighted F1’s ongoing Turn 1 controversy.

The start of the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix once again brought attention to Turn 1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, which became the scene of one of the most chaotic moments of the season. Four cars side by side – Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen – turned the opening braking zone into a fierce battle without any restraint. The outcome? Track cuts, disputes, and a heated debate about rules and fairness.

Max Verstappen, positioned on the outside, locked up his brakes and went straight across the grass, while Charles Leclerc cut through the chicane to avoid contact, rejoining the track ahead of his rivals. It was a familiar scene for Formula 1 fans, as similar incidents have repeatedly occurred in recent years, continuing to divide both fans and paddock insiders. George Russell described it as a “lawnmower race,” emphasizing that grass and asphalt run-off areas allow drivers to take risks without facing real consequences. Fernando Alonso also voiced his frustration, accusing the FIA of overlooking situations where drivers cut Turn 1 and gain positions unfairly.

The issue, however, is far from new. Since the Mexican Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2015, similar controversies have appeared almost every season. Lewis Hamilton in 2016, Carlos Sainz in 2024, and now Charles Leclerc in 2025 – three different cases, one recurring problem. Cutting the corner is often beneficial, especially when track limit rules are not enforced consistently.

Questionable solutions

Possible solutions? None come without issues. Grass doesn’t slow cars down enough, gravel traps risk throwing debris onto the racing line, and barriers would be too dangerous at speeds exceeding 350 km/h. A layout change remains an option, but many fear it would alter one of the circuit’s most spectacular sections.

For many within the sport, the real solution lies in the hands of the stewards: clear, consistent rules applied to everyone. If a driver is forced off the track, the one causing it should be penalized. If a driver cuts the corner without justification, an immediate sanction should follow. Only then could Formula 1 finally put an end to the ongoing “Turn 1 problem” once and for all.