Lewis Hamilton’s opening lap actions at the Mexican Grand Prix prevented Ferrari from securing a potential one-two finish. The incident involved a clash with teammate Charles Leclerc, leading to a loss of control for the Scuderia. Hamilton, who started from pole position, was challenged by Leclerc through the first chicane.
The contact between the two Ferrari drivers escalated in the run-off area at Turn 4. While Leclerc was within his rights to attack, Hamilton’s defensive manoeuvre forced both cars off the track. This combined error allowed Max Verstappen to take the lead and ultimately win the race.
Following the incident, Leclerc received a time penalty for gaining a lasting advantage by cutting through the grass. Race Director Rui Marques had issued specific notes to teams ahead of the event, clarifying that any car leaving the track in areas like Turns 1-3 and Turns 4-6 and maintaining position would be considered to have gained a lasting advantage, unless the position was yielded by Turn 4 or Turn 12 respectively.
Ferrari’s pit wall faced criticism for failing to inform Leclerc to cede the position, making his penalty unavoidable. The team has a documented history of strategic missteps, including a two-stop error at the 2016 Canadian Grand Prix and an overly aggressive three-stop strategy at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix.
Hamilton has previously been noted for an aggressive driving style, particularly during his McLaren years. In 2011, he stated, “I drive aggressively because my car is not fast enough at times and I have to push and be aggressive.”
In a separate development, Esteban Ocon was removed from the Haas team mid-event at the Mexican Grand Prix. This marks the second time in less than two years that Ocon has been withdrawn from a scheduled Formula 1 race.
Ocon joined Haas for the 2025 season after leaving Alpine at the end of 2024. His departure from Alpine for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was linked to an early release for testing with Haas. Haas confirmed in September that Ocon would leave the team at the end of the 2026 season, with Rafael Camara announced as his replacement for 2027.
Elsewhere in the paddock, George Russell faced a €5,000 fine for leaving the circuit immediately after the race without fulfilling media obligations. FIA regulations stipulate that drivers must engage with the media after sessions, with fines potentially reaching up to $25,000 for non-compliance.
Russell’s actions drew comparisons to Felipe Massa’s conduct after losing the 2008 World Championship on the final lap. Massa is currently pursuing a lawsuit against Formula 1, the FIA, and Bernie Ecclestone, alleging he was cheated out of the 2008 title due to the ‘Crashgate’ scandal at the Singapore Grand Prix. The case was ruled to proceed to trial in November 2025.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship with Mercedes, becoming the youngest ever to achieve the title. Antonelli, who joined the Mercedes junior program in 2019, made his F1 debut in 2025 and has accumulated nine Grand Prix victories and 19 podium finishes.
Liam Lawson also experienced a challenging Mexican Grand Prix weekend. He was disqualified from qualifying after his Racing Bulls car breached technical regulations concerning MGU-K deployment. This followed a one-place grid penalty he received for contact with Max Verstappen during a practice session.
