BREAKING: FIA CONFIRMS FURTHER PENALTIES IN F1 RIVALS’ BATTLE!
The 2025 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix has ignited a firestorm of controversy as the FIA confirms further penalties and changes in stewarding decisions that could alter the championship landscape. In a race fraught with tension, Lewis Hamilton was hit with a shocking 10-second time penalty, plunging him from third to eighth place, while Max Verstappen escaped unscathed despite similar track-cutting maneuvers. The drama unfolded from the very first lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, where chaos erupted among the front-runners, setting the stage for a race defined by inconsistent officiating.
The pivotal moment came on lap six, when Verstappen executed an aggressive dive past Hamilton, cutting across the grass and re-entering the track ahead of the seven-time world champion. While Hamilton attempted to counter at turn four, he found himself forced to cut the grass to avoid a collision, resulting in a penalty that would ultimately derail his race. The stewards ruled that Hamilton had gained a “lasting advantage,” a decision that has sparked outrage and accusations of double standards from the Mercedes driver.
In a post-race interview, Hamilton expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s definitely been frustrating… I stayed on track and was up to second, but somehow ended up third, and nobody was penalized for cutting the track.” His comments reflect a deep-seated concern over the inconsistency of the FIA’s decisions, as he pointed out multiple instances where other drivers, including Verstappen, were not penalized for similar actions.
Verstappen, who finished third and reduced his championship deficit to 36 points behind new leader Lando Norris, offered a starkly different view, insisting, “That’s racing. It’s what we can do within the regulations.” His unapologetic stance highlights a growing divide in the paddock, as drivers grapple with the subjective nature of stewarding decisions.
This latest incident has far-reaching implications for the championship battle, with only four races remaining. Hamilton’s penalty has left him trailing significantly in the standings and raised questions about Mercedes’s competitiveness in what could be his final season with the team. The controversy has drawn comparisons to their intense 2021 title fight, underscoring the unresolved tensions surrounding aggressive racing and stewarding consistency.
As the FIA faces mounting scrutiny over its officiating practices, the integrity of the championship hangs in the balance. With every point becoming crucial in the final standings, the debate over consistency in stewarding will only intensify. Will the FIA take action to address these concerns, or will the chaos continue to define the remainder of the season? The motorsport world is watching closely as the rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen reaches new heights, and the stakes have never been higher.
