Lewis Hamilton has been restored to third place for the restart of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, giving Ferrari an unexpected boost following the red-flag interruption caused by Valtteri Bottas’ crash. The seven-time world champion will resume the race ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, just one position behind teammate Charles Leclerc, after race control established the restart order using an earlier reference point.
The decision means Hamilton will line up on the cleaner side of the grid, improving his starting position for the resumption of a race that had already featured considerable controversy involving Ferrari’s two drivers. Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins has offered an explanation for the unusual circumstances, suggesting that the positions of Hamilton and Pierre Gasly in the pit lane may have influenced the point used to reconstruct the order.
Lewis Hamilton restored to third for Mexico GP restart
The revised classification places Hamilton directly behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli now starting behind the British driver. The change follows the decision to suspend the Grand Prix after Valtteri Bottas crashed into the barriers at Turn 1 on lap 44. Race control initially deployed the Safety Car before displaying the red flag on lap 46 to allow repairs to the damaged barrier.
When the restart order was established, the race director appeared to have used the classification from an earlier point around the deployment of the Safety Car rather than the order recorded when the red flag was shown.
That distinction proved important for Hamilton, whose position during the interruption was affected by the sequence of events surrounding the neutralisation and pit-lane activity. Instead of resuming behind Antonelli, the Ferrari driver has been placed third, giving him a more favourable position for the restart.
The cleaner side of the grid could also be advantageous, although the actual getaway will depend on how the drivers launch when racing resumes.
Bernie Collins explains unusual Mexico GP red flag order
Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins examined the decision and explained why race control may have chosen an earlier reference point to determine the running order.
“Normally for a red flag they go back to the last point they can take a clear order at, which I’m surprised wasn’t as they went through the control line,” Collins explained.
The former Formula 1 strategist suggested that the presence of two drivers in the pit lane may have complicated the process of establishing a reliable classification: “But I think because Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly were in the pit lane at that point, they have probably gone back to the end of sector two before Hamilton pitted.”
Her explanation indicates that the timing of Hamilton’s pit-lane entry may have been relevant to the reference point selected by race control. Importantly, Collins presented this as her interpretation rather than an officially confirmed explanation of the race director’s reasoning.
The distinction between the control line and the end of sector two is significant because cars can change their relative positions during a Safety Car period, particularly when some drivers are entering or leaving the pit lane.
Using an earlier point to establish the order can therefore produce a different classification from the one apparent when the race is eventually suspended.
Ferrari gains improved restart position after difficult Mexico GP
For Ferrari, Hamilton’s restoration to third represents a welcome development after a Grand Prix dominated by the consequences of the opening-lap confrontation between its drivers.
Hamilton started from pole position but lost the lead to Leclerc during their battle through the opening corners. Max Verstappen subsequently moved ahead of the British driver, who expressed frustration over the incident on Ferrari team radio.
The stewards investigated the confrontation and handed Leclerc a five-second penalty, which the Monegasque served during his first pit stop. That delay allowed Verstappen to move ahead during the opening pit-stop sequence, while Hamilton subsequently rejoined behind both drivers in the effective running order.
The seven-time world champion had also questioned the stewards’ handling of the opening-lap incident, arguing that the penalty did not fully compensate for the advantage his teammate enjoyed by running in clean air.
His frustration continued during the red-flag interruption, when he warned Ferrari over team radio that the team was facing major problems. The revised restart order now offers Hamilton a more encouraging position from which to continue the Grand Prix.
Hamilton lines up one place behind Charles Leclerc
The most important consequence of race control’s decision is that Ferrari’s two drivers will start the resumption in consecutive positions, with Leclerc second and Hamilton third. Hamilton’s restoration also places him ahead of championship contender Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who had been positioned in front of the Ferrari driver before the order was revised.
For the British driver, third place provides an opportunity to challenge the cars ahead without first needing to overtake the Mercedes.
The decision also brings renewed attention to the unusual circumstances surrounding the red flag. Although the race director’s precise reasoning has not been fully detailed, Collins believes the positions of Hamilton and Gasly in the pit lane offer a plausible explanation for the reference point used.
After an eventful afternoon involving an opening-lap Ferrari controversy, a five-second penalty and a race suspension, Hamilton has at least received a favourable development before the Grand Prix resumes.
With the seven-time world champion restored to third, just behind Leclerc, Ferrari will have both drivers positioned near the front as the Mexican Grand Prix prepares to restart.
Leave a Reply