Max Verstappen angered Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on the first lap of Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix, after cutting across the grass to rejoin the track at the exit of turn three. When asked about demanding a time penalty for his lawn mowing, he responded, “It’s not my problem.”
Verstappen tried to get four on the outside into turn one on the first lap, but with Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton all glued to him, he ran out of space and locked up his tyres. To avoid losing significant positions, he snuck across the grass and rejoined the track before ceding a spot to the British Ferrari driver.
Russell was fifth at the time and believed Verstappen should have given him a place or received a penalty, as without going off the circuit the Dutchman would not have been able to stay ahead of the Mercedes star.
“I don’t understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and continue in the position they came in,” Russell told Sky Sports F1 after the race. “It’s like risking everything, and if you make a mistake, you are left with a salvation card.”
Russell also offered a solution to the FIA to avoid similar controversies in the future. “In the end, it all depends on the circuit, and there is this saving grace,” he continued. “If there was gravel, there would be no one.
“We’ve seen it almost every year we’ve been here. It was Carlos last year and Charles last year, or Lewis 10 years ago. It’s like a lawnmower race. Something has to change there. That’s not how it should be.
Hamilton received a penalty after failing to take the escape route at turn four. The 40-year-old clocked 10 seconds in the pits during his first stop, ending his hopes of his first podium of the season and putting him on track to finish eighth.
“It feels like racing,” Hamilton said, recalling his battle with Verstappen. “I was good there. It was just the cut. Then I was the only one who got a 10-second penalty. It was crazy.”
For Verstappen, the points won were crucial. He finished third, just behind Leclerc, under virtual safety car conditions, meaning he finished the race weekend closer to the top of the standings than when he arrived. The gap to Norris, who occupies first place, is now 36 points with four Grands Prix and two sprints remaining.
