Lewis Hamilton has fired back at Max Verstappen’s audacious remarks after the Red Bull driver taunted the FIA following a rare 20-second penalty during the Mexican Grand Prix. Verstappen, who received two 10-second penalties for incidents involving McLaren rival Lando Norris, joked that he might “aim for a new record” and invited the FIA to give him “a 30-second punishment next time.”

Hamilton, who has often clashed with Verstappen on and off the track, couldn’t resist responding. “That kid has got some nerve,” Hamilton said with a hint of sarcasm. “He’s acting like penalties don’t even matter to him. It’s as if he thinks the rules don’t apply when he’s behind the wheel of a Red Bull.”

Verstappen’s penalties came after two tense on-track battles with Norris. The first occurred on Lap 10 when Verstappen forced Norris off the track while defending his position. Shortly afterward, in Turn 7, Verstappen made an aggressive move down the inside, sending both drivers off course. The penalties led to the unusual sight of Verstappen’s car being held for 20 seconds during a pit stop, marking one of his worst finishes this season with a sixth-place result. Meanwhile, Norris’s second-place finish closed Verstappen’s championship lead to 47 points.

Hamilton added, “If he’s so keen on setting records for penalties, maybe he should focus on avoiding them in the first place. F1 isn’t just about speed—it’s about respecting the sport and the rules that make it fair.”