The Formula 1 stewards have provided clarification on their decision to penalize Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Hamilton came under scrutiny for leaving the track while dueling with Max Verstappen, prompting Verstappen to call for a penalty.
After investigation, the stewards agreed with Verstappen, citing that Hamilton did not use the designated escape road as directed by the race director due to excessive speed. This justified Hamilton’s non-compliance with the instructions, leading to no further action taken.
However, the stewards determined that Hamilton gained an unfair advantage by going off-track, resulting in a 10-second time penalty. Hamilton, who was in third place, dropped to eighth after serving the penalty during his pit stop.
Hamilton expressed frustration over the penalty, emphasizing the lack of grip on the track. Despite the setback, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include additional streaming services and comprehensive Formula 1 coverage for fans.
In post-race interviews, Hamilton acknowledged the challenging nature of the race and defended his actions during the incident that led to the penalty. Despite the outcome, Hamilton remained focused on gaining valuable points in the championship standings.