Formula 1 stewards have disclosed the reason behind penalizing Lewis Hamilton in the Mexico City Grand Prix. The British driver was investigated for leaving the track while dueling with Max Verstappen. Despite being cleared for not using the designated escape road initially, Hamilton was later penalized for gaining an advantage by going off track.
The stewards clarified that Hamilton’s car, while trying to navigate turn four, locked brakes and veered into the run-off area due to excessive speed, justifying his failure to follow the race director’s instructions. Consequently, no further action was taken in that regard. However, Hamilton’s deviation from the track and subsequent advantage led to a 10-second time penalty, dropping him to eighth place after serving the penalty.
Hamilton expressed frustration over the penalty, citing poor grip on the track. He maintained that he did his best to stay on track and return safely. Despite the setback, he acknowledged the nature of motor racing and the points he secured. Fans can enjoy live Formula 1 coverage with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, featuring various TV channels along with free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Hamilton’s disappointment was evident in post-race interviews, where he briefly addressed the outcome, emphasizing the challenging nature of the race. When asked about the incident that resulted in his penalty, he defended his actions, describing the off-line conditions as difficult and highlighting his efforts to manage the situation effectively.
