P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Verstappen claps back after Hamilton accusation
Max Verstappen sent a clear message to those questioning the F1 stewards’ decision in Hamilton’s penalty at the Mexican Grand Prix, implying there was no double standard.
Lewis Hamilton was penalized with a 10-second time penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track, resulting in an eighth-place finish and frustration with the stewards’ inconsistency.
Verstappen defended the stewards’ call, stating that it’s all within the regulations and what is allowed in racing, highlighting that similar situations have happened to him in the past.
Both Verstappen and Leclerc left the track and gained positions at Turn 1 but promptly gave them back, unlike Hamilton who didn’t concede his position to Verstappen after rejoining the track.
The FIA’s penalty guidelines state that leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage warrants a penalty, which Hamilton received, while the incidents involving Verstappen and Leclerc did not meet the criteria for a penalty.
