T.............. ............

Hamilton Reacts with Humor to Verstappen-Norris Incident at Mexico City GP

Lewis Hamilton humorously expressed little surprise over Max Verstappen’s involvement in an incident with Lando Norris during the Mexico City Grand Prix. Early in the race, Hamilton noticed a “plume of smoke” ahead and instinctively assumed Verstappen was at the center of the commotion, given their history of on-track battles.

The Dutchman clashed with Norris twice during lap 10 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The second incident, which occurred at Turn 7, took place in full view of Hamilton, who had a clear vantage point. As a result of these altercations, Verstappen was hit with two 10-second penalties for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. The first penalty came after he forced Norris off the circuit at Turn 4, and the second followed his off-circuit move at Turn 7.

During his sole pit stop, the combined penalties forced Verstappen to wait for 20 seconds. Although the Red Bull driver managed to recover to finish in sixth place, Norris secured a second-place podium finish. Some argued that the penalties were lenient and speculated that Norris might have won the race if not for Verstappen’s aggressive maneuvers.

Reflecting on the incident, Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, remarked, “I haven’t seen a replay, but I saw a plume of smoke, like dust, ahead of me, and I just knew—it must have been Max.” With a chuckle, he added, “For sure it was him.”

Hamilton’s humor stems from his long-standing rivalry with Verstappen, particularly their fierce title battle during the 2021 season. The intense competition between the two drivers has given Hamilton insight into Verstappen’s aggressive racing style, which has been a recurring point of debate in Formula 1.

This latest controversy follows another incident between Verstappen and Norris at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, highlighting ongoing concerns about driving standards in F1. The topic was a major focus leading into the Mexico City race weekend, especially with stewards under scrutiny for their handling of Verstappen’s actions.

Ahead of the race, Hamilton criticized Verstappen’s driving approach, suggesting the Dutchman has often exploited the “grey areas” of racing regulations. “He’s gotten away with it for so long,” Hamilton remarked. “I’ve experienced it many times with Max. You shouldn’t be able to launch the car up the inside, go off, and still keep the position.”

The British driver’s comments echo the frustration of many drivers who feel Verstappen has a pattern of pushing the limits of fair racing. In particular, Hamilton referenced moments in their shared history when Verstappen’s aggressive tactics put competitors in difficult positions, forcing them to either concede or risk contact.

Fans and pundits alike weighed in on the incident, with some criticizing Hamilton’s remarks as hypocritical, citing similar moves in his own career, including battles with former teammates. Others defended the veteran driver, arguing that the issue lies with inconsistent stewarding and enforcement of driving standards.

The fallout from the Mexico City GP has sparked fresh debate about the FIA’s handling of penalties and whether Verstappen’s actions warrant stricter punishment. As the drivers head to São Paulo for the next race, these discussions will likely continue, with the spotlight on both Verstappen’s racing style and the FIA’s response to aggressive driving.

Hamilton, now with 105 career wins, remains vocal about the need for clarity in racing rules. His remarks emphasize the fine line between competitive driving and dangerous maneuvers, a balance the FIA must manage to ensure fairness on the grid.