Fred Vasseur gives his view on controversial Verstappen–Hamilton incident in Mexico City. Fred Vasseur shares his verdict on Max Verstappen avoiding a penalty for Lewis Hamilton clash in Mexico.

The 2025 Mexican Grand Prix saw old Formula 1 rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen collide once again in a dramatic opening phase of the race. The clash came at a crucial moment for Hamilton, who had been on track to secure his first podium for Scuderia Ferrari this season.

Lewis Hamilton had delivered a strong start, looking set to challenge at the front, but a 10-second time penalty for failing to follow the race director’s instructions effectively ended his podium bid. While teammate Charles Leclerc secured a strong second-place finish, Lewis Hamilton ultimately limped across the line in eighth, leaving Ferrari and fans frustrated by the outcome.

Turn 1 chaos and penalty controversy

The opening laps were intense, with Lewis Hamilton initially contending for the lead into Turn 1 before Max Verstappen forced him off the racing line. This early incident set the stage for the penalty, which many considered controversial. With just four races remaining in the 2025 season, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion appears poised to finish sixth in the drivers’ championship during his first year with Ferrari, a result far below expectations for the seven-time World Champion.

Former F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok expressed surprise at Ferrari’s race strategy, noting that the team failed to instruct Lewis Hamilton to reduce pace and surrender time before the stewards handed down the penalty. Karun Chandhok argued that had Ferrari acted proactively, Lewis Hamilton might have avoided losing critical seconds and salvaging a podium finish.

Verstappen and Hamilton: the aftermath of the clash

Max Verstappen acknowledged the chaos at the race start, revealing that he had nearly lost control after running wide at Turn 1. Despite Hamilton’s claims that Max Verstappen had pushed him off track, the FIA stewards reviewed the incident and opted not to penalise the Red Bull driver. This decision left Lewis Hamilton to fight through the remainder of the race while managing a 36-point deficit in the championship battle against his McLaren rivals.

Although Hamilton faced a similar on-track misjudgment later in the race, he avoided further penalties. Demonstrating impressive skill, he delivered a strong second stint, almost reaching the podium. However, a late Virtual Safety Car prevented a last-lap overtaking attempt, compounding the frustration for both driver and team.

Fred Vasseur comments on penalty and stewards’ decision

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur addressed the controversy in an interview with Canal+, describing Lewis Hamilton’s 10-second penalty as “very harsh.” He acknowledged that although Lewis Hamilton had not taken the shortest path back onto the track, the time loss was excessive given the circumstances. Fred Vasseur emphasized that Ferrari would not publicly complain about other drivers, including Verstappen, who escaped sanction for the incident.

Fred Vasseur’s comments underline the challenges Ferrari faces in managing race strategy and communication under high-pressure situations. The incident highlighted both the competitive intensity between Hamilton and Verstappen and the fine margins that separate success from disappointment in Formula 1.

Hamilton’s 2025 season and podium struggle

Despite Ferrari showing improved pace in recent races, the Briton has yet to secure a podium finish in 2025, while Charles Leclerc has achieved seven top-three results. This contrast demonstrates the car’s potential, but also the multiple factors—race incidents, penalties, and strategy decisions—that need to align for Lewis Hamilton to reach the podium.

At this stage of the season, Lewis Hamilton risks completing a year without a podium for the first time in his illustrious 18-year Formula 1 career. With only four races remaining, every opportunity is critical to salvaging a strong finish in the championship. Lewis Hamilton’s experience and familiarity with Ferrari will be invaluable as the team prepares for the transition to the 2026 F1 regulations, giving him an advantage in adapting to future challenges.

Looking ahead: four races to turn fortunes around

Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 season highlights the importance of consistency, racecraft, and strategic execution. While raw pace is evident, a combination of incidents, penalties, and tactical decisions has so far prevented the Briton from converting potential into podiums. The Mexican Grand Prix served as a stark reminder that even a slight misjudgment or unclear communication can have major repercussions at the top level of Formula 1.

As the season enters its final four rounds, Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari must optimize every aspect of their performance, from qualifying and race strategy to pit wall communication and on-track decision-making. The lessons learned from Mexico could prove pivotal in helping the Briton finally secure a podium for Ferrari and maximize his points haul before the 2025 Formula season concludes.