Lewis Hamilton has raised concerns about “grey areas” in Formula 1 regulations, suggesting that Max Verstappen has capitalized on these ambiguities when defending positions on the track. This week, drivers will convene to discuss the incident involving Verstappen and Lando Norris during the United States Grand Prix.
Ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, media discussions have predominantly focused on the controversial lap 52 incident in Austin, where Norris received a time penalty for an overtake on Verstappen, which ultimately cost him a podium finish.
In response, McLaren has filed a right of review to contest the decision, with an initial hearing scheduled for Friday evening at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Amidst scrutiny of F1’s overtaking guidelines and inconsistencies in steward decisions, Hamilton emphasized the need for the sport to enhance its officiating standards. He urged that the tactics employed by his long-time rival in defending positions should be reevaluated.
“It’s always been a grey area,” Hamilton noted. “That’s why he’s been able to evade proper scrutiny for so long.” He further proposed that adjustments are necessary, pointing out that inconsistencies in rulings seem to vary depending on the stewards present at each event.
“In other global sports, full-time referees are the standard,” he remarked. “It might benefit our sport similarly.” He added, “You shouldn’t be able to lunge your car from the inside, thereby claiming the position, only to veer off track to maintain it.”
Reflecting on past controversies, Hamilton connected this incident to his own battles with Verstappen during the tightly contested 2021 season, particularly recalling a specific event in Brazil. He expressed the urgency of redefining what constitutes fair racing to prevent similar situations moving forward.
Verstappen Responds: ‘I Always Aim to Make the Corner’
In Mexico, Verstappen denied any intention of exploiting the rules. He remarked, “It’s impressive that people think they can read my mind. My goal has always been to make the corner, not to take shortcuts.” He is currently leading the championship by 57 points over Norris.
Drivers Set to Address Officials and Recent Controversies
George Russell, a director at the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, confirmed that all drivers will engage in discussions regarding the Verstappen-Norris incident following their regular briefing with the FIA race director. He also highlighted the need for consistency in steward decisions, suggesting that having permanent officials could mitigate discrepancies.
“The stewards are doing their best, but their role is often voluntary,” Russell said. “In contrast, professional referees in sports like football ensure consistency since it’s their full-time job. That might be a direction worth considering.” He emphasized the drivers’ crucial role in shaping racing regulations and suggested that while current regulations might be adequate, subtle adjustments could be beneficial.
Pierre Gasly from Alpine noted, “The Austin incident has shown that a reevaluation of the rules is warranted. The balance between what is written and common sense needs addressing to promote fair racing.”
In anticipation of the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix, Hamilton, Verstappen, and their fellow competitors will undoubtedly explore the implications of recent controversies on their racing strategies and F1’s regulatory framework.
Upcoming Schedule for the Mexico City GP
Friday, October 25:
7 pm: Practice One (session begins at 7:30 pm)
9 pm: Pre-race Show
10:45 pm: Practice Two (session starts at 11 pm)*
Saturday, October 26:
6:15 pm: Practice Three (session starts at 6:30 pm)
9 pm: Qualifying build-up*
10 pm: Qualifying*
Sunday, October 27:
6:30 pm: Grand Prix Sunday Build-up*
8 pm: The Mexico City Grand Prix*
10 pm: Post-race Analysis
*also available on select broadcast channels
The Mexico City Grand Prix is set to continue Formula 1’s Americas triple header, with every session broadcast live. Stay tuned for highlights, analysis, and race strategies from the weekend’s events.
