‘A bit loopy’ – Hamilton questions penalty after conflict with Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton says “it’s type of loopy” that he was the one driver to obtain a penalty for reducing a nook in the course of the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.

Hamilton obtained a 10-second penalty for “leaving the monitor and gaining an enduring benefit” in his shut battle with Max Verstappen initially of the race.

The pair went wheel-to-wheel by turns 1 and a couple of, earlier than Verstappen minimize by flip 3 to take third place. On the way in which right down to Flip 4, Hamilton tried to get round Verstappen, however he braked, minimize the nook and got here out forward of the Crimson Bull driver.

“It felt like a race,” mentioned Hamilton, who completed the race in eighth.

“I used to be proper there. It was simply the minimize. Then I used to be the one one who obtained a 10-second penalty. It was type of loopy.”

Hamilton confronted two investigations for reducing into Flip 4, the primary for not following race administrators’ notes to not undergo the run-off zone, in addition to gaining a bonus.

He prevented a penalty for first, however the stewards really feel Hamilton ought to have given the place again to Verstappen.

They mentioned: “Automotive 44 (HAM) locked the brakes, left the monitor at Flip 4 and used the grassy space when returning in direction of Flip 5. As the driving force was unable to observe the route prescribed by the Race Director alongside the “yellow line” resulting from extreme velocity, no breach of the Race Director’s Notes was deemed to have occurred.

“Nonetheless, when leaving the monitor and reducing the nook, the driving force gained an enduring benefit, overtaking automotive 1 (VER) and unable to regain the place from then on.

Russell confused as stewards clarify no penalty for Verstappen

Earlier than Flip 4, Verstappen and Hamilton made a small contact in Flip 1 because the Crimson Bull driver tried an aggressive overtake. The stewards thought-about it to be a racing incident.

Nonetheless, Verstappen minimize Flip 3, however the stewards investigated Hamilton and whether or not he left sufficient area.

They mentioned: “Automotive 1 (VER) overtook automotive 44 (HAM) on the within of flip 1. On the apex, VER’s entrance axle was clearly in entrance of HAM’s mirror and subsequently VER was entitled to the racing line. HAM remained alongside all through the flip, leading to slight contact between the wheels of each vehicles. The contact was of no consequence to both automotive.

“Contemplating that HAM had restricted alternative to depart extra area on the monitor, that each vehicles had been aspect by aspect in the course of the flip and that no sporting penalties resulted from the contact, and noting that in related incidents previously no additional motion was taken, the stewards decided that the matter falls inside a racing incident.”

Mercedes’ George Russell says he “does not perceive” how Verstappen prevented a penalty for reducing two corners in the course of the race.

Verstappen began fifth, however managed a greater launch than fourth-placed Russell and went from 4 alongside Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton in an exhilarating race to Flip 1.

However the Dutchman braked, minimize the nook and allowed Hamilton to fall to fourth, which Russell considers unfair.

“I don’t perceive how three drivers can minimize the primary nook and simply proceed within the place they entered,” Russell informed Sky Sports activities F1.

“It’s like permitting you to danger every little thing and also you solely have a get-out-of-jail-free card in case you get it mistaken.”

Relating to the Verstappen and Hamilton incidents, Russell continued: “Clearly, when Max and Lewis obtained collectively, Lewis obtained a penalty and rightly so – however Max was off the monitor and got here again.

“It was the mistaken place and the mistaken time for me and I misplaced three positions. Clearly I used to be very pissed off, however it all occurred on the primary lap.”

It’s not the primary time that nook reducing has been a problem on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with Verstappen penalized in 2016 after the race following an exhilarating battle with Sebastian Vettel and Russell additionally pointed to an incident with Carlos Sainz final yr.

“Finally, all of it is dependent upon the circuit and there’s this get-out-of-jail-free card. If there was gravel, nobody can be there,” he mentioned.

“We have seen it virtually yearly we have been right here. It was Carlos final yr and Chrles the yr earlier than or Lewis 10 years in the past.

“One thing wants to vary there. This is not the way it must be.”

The thrilling Formulation 1 title race continues in Brazil with a Dash weekend on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, 7-9 November, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime