FIA issue Mexican Grand Prix grid penalty as Mercedes BREACH c...

FIA issue Mexican Grand Prix grid penalty as Mercedes BREACH c…read more

During the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, the FIA issued a penalty to Mercedes after George Russell’s crash during practice led to the team breaching curfew. This rule breach occurred when the Mercedes team worked late to repair Russell’s car after the incident, which is usually restricted under F1’s regulations to ensure fair competition and team rest. Mercedes could face further scrutiny if such infractions recur, as these curfew rules are strictly enforced for all teams.

Separately, McLaren publicly disagreed with a penalty issued to Lando Norris following his intense competition with Max Verstappen at the U.S. Grand Prix. Norris was penalized after stewards determined that his driving crossed acceptable limits in his duel with Verstappen, a decision that McLaren believes was unfair and harsh. McLaren issued a statement expressing their disagreement, as they felt the penalty undermined Norris’s effort and was inconsistent with previous calls. This instance has sparked renewed discussion among drivers, with Lewis Hamilton also weighing in, comparing it to past controversial rulings, such as the one he faced in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, in a significant commercial development, Formula 1 has announced a multi-year partnership aimed at expanding the sport into new markets, potentially enhancing its global reach. This collaboration represents F1’s commitment to growth and could introduce the sport to a broader audience.

As the season progresses and stakes grow, these developments reflect both the challenges of competitive fairness and safety regulations, as well as the expanding ambitions of F1 to reach more fans around the world.