FERRARI SLAMS HAMILTON PENALTY AS ‘NOT VERY WELL MANAGED’ IN MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX FIASCO!
In a dramatic turn of events at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has launched a scathing attack on the stewards’ decision to impose a hefty 10-second penalty on Lewis Hamilton. This controversial ruling has left fans and experts alike questioning the fairness of race officiating as Hamilton, desperately seeking his first podium finish with Ferrari, suffered yet another setback in his quest for glory.
Starting in a promising third position, Hamilton was eager to showcase his aggressive driving style in a bid to secure that elusive podium. However, the race quickly devolved into chaos as he found himself embroiled in a fierce battle with rival Max Verstappen. The tension reached a boiling point on Lap 6, when both drivers went wheel-to-wheel, resulting in Hamilton being pushed off the track at Turn 4.
While Verstappen emerged unscathed from the fray, Hamilton was handed a crushing penalty that ultimately saw him finish the race in a dismal eighth place, a staggering 25 seconds adrift of the podium. This marks a new low for the seven-time World Champion, extending his record to a staggering 20 races without a podium since donning the red of Ferrari—a shocking statistic for a driver of his caliber.
Vasseur did not hold back in his criticism, stating, “This cost us P4. One thing is the penalty, for sure, that we didn’t follow the race director’s notes,” adding that the severity of the punishment was unwarranted. He further remarked, “I think it’s not very well managed, honestly. If you consider the global picture, Max cut the corner before, he cut the chicane, in the grass, 100 metres. We need to understand what we are doing here.”
Hamilton’s frustration was palpable, as he expressed his disbelief over the penalty, stating, “That’s such man. The grip is so small there. The grip there is so low.” He served the penalty during his pit stop, his team forced to wait an agonizing 10 seconds before they could change his tires. Vasseur claimed that this blunder cost Hamilton a potential P4 finish, a heart-wrenching blow in a season that has already seen its fair share of disappointments.
In a race characterized by numerous incidents but surprisingly few penalties, the lack of consequences faced by Verstappen only fueled the fire. Vasseur was quick to defend Hamilton, asserting, “10 seconds is harsh. He also lost the car. We can consider that he did not take the small way back to the track, but 10 seconds is very harsh.”
Stewards justified their ruling by stating that Hamilton had gained a “lasting advantage” by leaving the track and failing to give the position back to Verstappen. However, many fans and pundits are left scratching their heads—why was Verstappen not penalized for his earlier transgressions? The double standard in officiating has raised eyebrows and ignited a heated debate about the integrity of racing regulations.
As the dust settles on this controversial race, the spotlight remains on the FIA and their handling of penalties. With Ferrari’s frustrations echoing throughout the paddock, one thing is clear: the battle for supremacy on the track is only just beginning. Hamilton and Ferrari will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back from this setback in their relentless pursuit of victory. Will they find redemption in the next race, or will the specter of this penalty haunt them for the remainder of the season? Stay tuned as this high-stakes drama unfolds!
