Lewis Hamilton furious with FIA after harsh penalty: “Verstappen cut the corner before I did” | F1 Mexican GP. Lewis Hamilton criticized the FIA after receiving a 10-second penalty in the Mexican GP.

The penalty was indeed severe. Lewis Hamilton openly expressed his disappointment with the FIA after the Mexican Grand Prix, accusing Formula 1’s governing body of double standards. The 10-second penalty imposed on the Ferrari driver reignited debate about inconsistent stewarding decisions. Hamilton met the media after the race, visibly frustrated, and pointed out that Max Verstappen had gone off the track just a few meters before him without receiving any punishment.

Hamilton defends himself: “Cutting the corner? I couldn’t have done more”

Starting from third place on the grid, Lewis Hamilton — boxed in between Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen — was unable to grab the lead positions at the start of the Mexican Grand Prix. “The start was fun, but it didn’t end the way I hoped. That’s racing…” explained the seven-time world champion after the race.

In the opening laps, the Ferrari driver had to defend against Max Verstappen’s attacks, and it was during this battle with the Red Bull driver that the incident occurred — one that would ultimately ruin Lewis Hamilton’s race. First, Max Verstappen cut across the corner, followed by Lewis Hamilton just moments later. The stewards, however, deemed only the British driver’s maneuver worthy of a penalty, arguing that he did not follow the race director’s instructions when rejoining the track. The result was a harsh 10-second penalty that immediately drew criticism from fans and analysts alike.

After the race, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion tried to explain his perspective: “Could I have done more to avoid cutting the corner? No, I mean, it was really dirty off the racing line. I did my best to keep control of the car and rejoin the track safely.”

Lenient with Max Verstappen, harsh with Lewis Hamilton: “Disappointed with the FIA”

Lewis Hamilton’s criticism didn’t stop there. The Ferrari driver directly pointed his finger at Formula 1’s governing body: “I’m very disappointed with the FIA,” said the British driver from Stevenage. “Verstappen didn’t get a penalty, yet just before me he also went off the track. Then I went off because it was dirty, and I got ten seconds.”

Weighed down by the stewards’ severe sanction, Lewis Hamilton finished the Mexican Grand Prix in eighth place, just behind George Russell’s Mercedes. The result once again delayed his hopes of returning to the podium, leaving Sir Lewis still waiting for his first taste of champagne in his new chapter with Ferrari.