The FIA has officially clarified the reasoning behind Lewis Hamilton’s controversial 10-second penalty at the Mexico City Grand Prix, a decision that dramatically derailed the Briton’s race. Hamilton’s sanction stemmed from his off-track excursion during a heated wheel-to-wheel duel with Max Verstappen on lap four, where he cut across the grass at Turn 4 to rejoin the circuit ahead of the Red Bull driver.
Moments earlier, Verstappen had muscled Hamilton wide at Turn 1 in a minor clash that escaped punishment, as did the Dutchman’s own trip across the grass at Turn 3. When Hamilton rejoined the track, however, the stewards ruled that he gained a “lasting advantage” — the decisive phrase that sealed his penalty. Despite the brief chaos, Oliver Bearman slipped past Verstappen, while Hamilton retained position until the FIA intervened.
The penalty all but ended Hamilton’s podium ambitions. Having started from third, he dropped down the order and ultimately crossed the line in eighth. His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who also went off at Turn 1 but avoided sanctions despite not yielding his place, went on to finish second — adding salt to the seven-time champion’s wounds.
Post-race, Hamilton’s frustration was palpable. He remained silent over the radio after the chequered flag, later admitting in interviews that the result was difficult to digest. The FIA, however, stood firm in its justification, stating that while Hamilton did not violate the race director’s instructions for rejoining, his maneuver had clearly granted him an unfair positional benefit over Verstappen.
In its official statement, the governing body wrote: “Car 44 left the track at Turn 4 and rejoined via the grass, gaining a lasting advantage by overtaking Car 1. The standard penalty for such an infringement is therefore imposed.” The explanation closed the debate on what many fans saw as inconsistent officiating — but it did little to silence growing whispers that Hamilton’s luck in 2025 continues to run thin.
