Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver says penalty in Mexico Metropolis GP towards Max Verstappen was ‘form of nuts’

Lewis Hamilton says “it’s kind of nuts” he was the one driver to obtain a penalty for slicing a nook throughout the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.

Hamilton was given a 10-second time penalty for “leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage” in his feisty battle with Max Verstappen early within the race.

The pair went wheel to wheel via Turns 1 and a pair of, earlier than Verstappen lower Flip 3 to take third place. On the run all the way down to Flip 4, Hamilton tried to go across the exterior of Verstappen however locked up, lower the nook and emerged forward of the Purple Bull driver.

“It felt like racing,” mentioned Hamilton, who went on to complete the race in eighth.

“I was fine there. It was just the cutting. Then I’m the only one to get a 10-second penalty. It was kind of nuts.”

Hamilton confronted two investigations for slicing Flip 4, the primary for failing to observe the race administrators’ notes of not going via the run-off zone, plus gaining a bonus.

He prevented a penalty for the previous however the stewards really feel Hamilton ought to have handed Verstappen the place again.

They mentioned: “Car 44 (HAM) locked brakes, left the track at Turn 4 and used the grass area while rejoining in the direction of Turn 5. As the driver was unable to follow the route prescribed by the Race Director along the “yellow line” due to an excess of speed, no breach of the Race Director’s Notes is deemed to have occurred.

“Nonetheless, by leaving the monitor and slicing the nook, the driving force gained an enduring benefit, overtaking Automobile 1 (VER) and failing to present again the place thereafter. The usual penalty for leaving the monitor and gaining an enduring benefit is subsequently imposed.”

Russell confused as stewards clarify no penalty for Verstappen

Previous to Flip 4, Verstappen and Hamilton made minor contact at Flip 1 because the Purple Bull driver went for an aggressive overtake. The stewards deemed this to be a racing incident.

Nonetheless, Verstappen lower Flip 3 however the stewards really investigated Hamilton and whether or not he left sufficient room.

They mentioned: “Car 1 (VER) overtook Car 44 (HAM) on the inside of Turn 1. At the apex, VER’s front axle was clearly in front of HAM’s mirror and therefore VER was entitled to the racing line. HAM remained alongside through the corner, resulting in slight contact between the wheels of both cars. The contact had no consequences for either car.

“Contemplating that HAM had restricted alternative to depart further house on monitor, that each vehicles have been aspect by aspect all through the nook and no sporting consequence resulted from the contact and noting that in comparable incidents prior to now no additional motion was taken, the Stewards decided that the matter falls inside a racing incident.”

Mercedes’ George Russell says he “does not understand” how Verstappen prevented a penalty for slicing two corners throughout the race.

Verstappen began fifth however received a greater launch then fourth-placed Russell and went four-wide alongside Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton in an exciting run to Flip 1.

However, the Dutchman locked up, lower the nook and allowed Hamilton via to drop to fourth which Russell feels was unfair.

“I don’t understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and just continue in the position they entered,” Russell advised Sky Sports activities F1.

“It’s like allowing you to risk everything and you just have a get-out-of-jail-free card if you get it wrong.”

On the Verstappen and Hamilton incidents, Russell continued: “Obviously when Max and Lewis came together, Lewis got a penalty and rightly so – but Max was off the track and came back on.

“It was the incorrect place and the incorrect time for me and I misplaced three positions. Clearly I used to be fairly pissed off however it all stemmed from Lap 1.”

It’s not the primary time nook slicing has been a problem on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with Verstappen penalised in 2016 post-race following an exciting battle with Sebastian Vettel and Russell additionally identified an incident with Carlos Sainz final yr.

“Ultimately, it’s down to the circuit and there is this get-out-of-jail-free card. If there was gravel then nobody would be there,” he mentioned.

“We’ve seen it almost every year we’ve been here. It was Carlos last year and Chrles the year before or Lewis 10 years ago. It’s like a lawnmower race.

“One thing wants to alter there. That is probably not the way it must be.”

Formula 1’s thrilling title race heads continues in Brazil with a Sprint weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on November 7-9, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime