F1 Mexico, drivers reactions to the race director decisions

In yesterday’s F1 Mexico Grand Prix, won by Lando Norris for McLaren, controversies were not in short supply. The main discussion points revolved around how the FIA race control handled several penalties and tense moments.
Among the most debated topics between fans were the track cuts at Turn 1. The battle between Ferrari and Red Bull, and the Virtual Safety Car deployed after Sainz’s retirement with just two laps to go. Let’s take a closer look.

The F1 Mexico Gp race start

The most chaotic moment of the race was undoubtedly the start.
As the drivers reached the end of the 1.4km long straight heading into Turn 1, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris and Verstappen found themselves side by side.

The Red Bull driver, trying to brake as late as possible, locked up and went wide onto the grass outside the track. Cutting through the second chicane

Leclerc was also forced to go straight across the grass, rejoining the track in first place before immediately giving the position back to Norris.
Hamilton, who had stayed on track without cutting, found himself in fourth place, overtaken by Verstappen. The Brit quickly complained over the radio, but the situation resolved itself a few corners later when Verstappen let him by without much of a fight.

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The FIA decided not to impose any penalties, judging the start to be chaotic by nature and noting that the drivers had restored their correct positions within a few corners. A key factor in their decision.

Verstappen Hamilton Contact in turn 1

The contact between Hamilton and Verstappen was likely the moment that most affected the Ferrari driver’s race.

At Turn 1, after closing in on the SF-25 with DRS, the Red Bull braked late and dived down the inside, making slight wheel-to-wheel contact. Hamilton, to avoid further damage, had to take evasive action and nearly cut the following chicane to avoid losing more time.

The incident was reviewed by the stewards, who handed the Ferrari driver a 10second penalty to be served during his pit stop. Upon reviewing the footage, the FIA concluded that Verstappen had already been ahead into Turn 1, with the nose of his Red Bull in front of the SF-25. This granted him the right to the racing line and thus P3 when Hamilton cut the next chicane.

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However, one could argue that Verstappen’s rather forceful move was underestimated. A maneuver that left very little room for Hamilton and forced him to avoid heavier contact.

With all the data available, the FIA likely made the most informed call, but from the outside it still looked like a harsh decision against the Scuderia.

Virtual safety car caused by Carlos Sainz

The final noteworthy moment o the F1 Mexico Gpcame with the Virtual Safety Car just two laps from the end.
Carlos Sainz spun in the stadium section, brushing the outside wall and breaking his right rear suspension, forcing him to park the car.

However, the Williams was left in a relatively safe position, behind the barriers and out of the racing line. In a section of the track where speeds are quite low.
Despite that, the marshals deployed the Virtual Safety Car just as Verstappen was attempting a move on Leclerc.

The decision effectively froze the positions, allowing the Monegasque driver to hold onto P2 ahead of the Dutchman, who only had one lap to attack once the green flags came back out. Although there was a car stopped on the track, its position did not pose any real danger to the other competitors.

The decision to deploy the Virtual Safety Car therefore seems like an extreme safety measure, sometimes perhaps unnecessary. From our point of view, it could have been avoided, although Leclerc would probably disagree with this opinion.

Ferrari back on P2 and Norris P1 in driver champs after F1 Mexico

Thanks to that result, Ferrari secured a strong haul of points and moved back. Second in the Constructors’ Championship with 356 points, just one ahead of Mercedes on 355. With four rounds remaining, the battle for P2 is still wide open. The fight in the Drivers’ standings, where Lando Norris now leads Oscar Piastri by a single point is now more open than ever