P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The FIA has explained why it took the decisions it did on a run of incidents that took place during a frenetic battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen early in Formula 1’s Mexican Grand Prix
The Mexican Grand Prix stewards have provided clarification on their decisions made during the intense battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. They reviewed the actions taken during a contested third-place race between the Ferrari and Red Bull drivers on lap six, analyzing Verstappen’s dive inside at Turn 1, subsequent contact with Hamilton, and Verstappen’s brief excursion onto the grass in Turn 2. Hamilton’s attempted overtake on the outside at Turn 4, where he locked up and cut across the grass to rejoin ahead of Verstappen, was also scrutinized. The stewards deemed the Turn 1 collision as a racing incident, with neither driver predominantly at fault, while Hamilton received a penalty for gaining a lasting advantage by leaving the track at Turn 4. Hamilton’s use of the grass instead of the specified asphalt run-off at Turn 4 was investigated, but the stewards found it justifiable due to carrying too much speed for the prescribed escape route. Overall, the stewards concluded that the incidents were racing-related and that Hamilton’s actions at Turn 4 warranted a time penalty.
