Lewis Hamilton is once again aiming at the Formula One’s governing body, accusing the FIA of operating without the necessary transparency and accountability. Speaking ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver voiced his deep frustration with how stewards’ decisions are made behind closed doors. He raised serious questions about the impact these rulings have on the sport’s competitive integrity and its future direction.
What Triggered Lewis Hamilton’s Frustration at the Mexico City Grand Prix?
The Ferrari driver’s anger boiled over after the Mexico City Grand Prix on October 26, where a controversial 10-second penalty dropped him from a potential podium finish to eighth place. Hamilton was running in third when Max Verstappen initiated an attack down the inside through the opening corners. The two made contact at Turn 1, which the stewards deemed a racing incident. Shortly after, Verstappen cut through the grass at Turn 3 to gain an advantage; yet, neither driver was penalized for this infraction.
Then, at Turn 4, Hamilton attempted to overtake Verstappen on the outside but locked his front brakes, losing control of his car. Unable to make the corner, he drove through the grass and rejoined the track ahead of his rival. The stewards swiftly issued a 10-second time penalty for “leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage,” citing regulations that require drivers to give back any position gained unfairly immediately. This penalty not only cost him a podium but also extended his record-breaking streak without a top-three finish for Ferrari in the 2025 season.
What distraught Hamilton was not the penalty itself, but what he saw as the selective enforcement of the rules. Charles Leclerc had cut the track at Turn 2 on the first lap, gaining a temporary lead before conceding the position to Lando Norris. However, several other drivers who also cut corners or ran off the track faced no repercussions, creating a clear sense of inconsistency.
Why Does Hamilton Believe This Is a Deeper Problem?
Hamilton’s complaint goes far beyond a single race or one questionable penalty. The fundamental issue, he explained, is the lack of transparency in the FIA’s decision-making process. He pointed to the “secrecy” surrounding how rulings are made, with stewards operating “in the background” and failing to explain their reasoning to teams and drivers properly.
Moreover, Hamilton emphasized that the decision-makers may not fully grasp the weight of their choices. These are not minor tactical calls that only affect a single race. According to Hamilton, these FIA decisions can fundamentally reshape careers and determine the outcome of championships. His reference to the gravity of these rulings immediately brought back memories of the infamous title-deciding race in Abu Dhabi in December 2021.
In that race, Hamilton was comfortably leading before a late safety car period set up a dramatic one-lap shootout for the championship. The race director at the time, Michael Masi, made a controversial call to bring the safety car in before completing the required additional lap, allowing only the five lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves, a violation of the regulations.
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These errors gave Verstappen, on a fresh set of soft tires, one final chance to attack Hamilton. Verstappen seized the opportunity, overtaking Hamilton at Turn 5 and clinching his first world championship by a single point.
Ultimately, Hamilton’s current complaints suggest he sees the Mexico penalty as another symptom of a systemic problem. Without clear accountability and open communication, he fears that stewards’ decisions will continue to unfairly influence championship battles, leaving drivers with little room for challenge or recourse.
