Ferrari have officially filed a complaint to the FIA following the penalty handed to Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico City Grand Prix, a decision that has left the Italian team furious and questioning the consistency of race stewards. The 10-second time penalty, which dropped Hamilton from a potential podium finish to eighth place, has ignited fresh controversy in Formula 1 and reopened the debate on how penalties are applied across teams and drivers.
The incident occurred early in the race when Hamilton, starting from third, found himself in a tight battle into Turn One with Max Verstappen and other front-runners. He locked his brakes, ran off track onto the grass, and rejoined the circuit ahead of a rival car. The stewards deemed that Hamilton had gained a “lasting advantage” by leaving the track and swiftly imposed the penalty — a call Ferrari believe was excessively harsh.
Team principal Fred Vasseur made no effort to hide his frustration after the race, calling the decision “severe and inconsistent.” According to Vasseur, Hamilton did not intentionally gain an advantage but rather found himself in a difficult position during an intense opening-lap battle. He emphasized that similar incidents in the past have often gone unpunished or received far lighter outcomes, suggesting that Ferrari may be the latest victim of inconsistent officiating in the sport.
Ferrari’s complaint reportedly urges the FIA to review both the decision itself and the broader interpretation of what constitutes a “lasting advantage.” The team insists that the penalty was disproportionate and directly impacted Hamilton’s race outcome, turning what could have been a strong result into another weekend of frustration.
For Hamilton, the setback was especially painful. The seven-time world champion has shown flashes of brilliance in recent races and had been eyeing another podium in his first season with Ferrari. After the race, Hamilton admitted he was “surprised” by the penalty and hinted that some calls in Formula 1 “don’t always feel equal.” His comments echo growing concern among drivers about the lack of clarity surrounding steward decisions.
The FIA has yet to issue an official response to Ferrari’s complaint, but the governing body is expected to review the report before making any public statement. Whether the penalty will be overturned or even reconsidered remains uncertain, but one thing is clear — Ferrari’s move has once again placed the spotlight on race control and the consistency of decision-making in Formula 1.
As tensions rise, the outcome of this dispute could have lasting implications not just for Ferrari and Hamilton, but for how future on-track incidents are judged. With championship battles tightening and emotions running high, the FIA’s next move will be watched closely by teams, drivers, and fans alike.
