JUST IN: Lewis Hamilton Blasts FIA Over ‘Unfair’ Penalty at Mexico City Grand Prix — Raises Concern About B…. Read more

Lewis Hamilton Blasts FIA Over ‘Unfair’ Penalty at Mexico City Grand Prix — Raises Concern About Bias and Discrimination in Formula 1

By Hugo Harvey | Mexico City | October 28, 2025

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has unleashed a furious tirade against the FIA, accusing the sport’s governing body of unfair treatment following a controversial penalty at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver, who has long been a vocal advocate for equality and transparency in motorsport, claimed that he was “treated unfairly, possibly because of my skin color,” after being punished for a corner-cutting incident during Sunday’s race — while Max Verstappen escaped a similar sanction.

The flashpoint came midway through the race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez when Hamilton, battling for third place with McLaren’s Lando Norris, ran wide at Turn 1 and momentarily cut the corner. The stewards deemed that Hamilton gained an advantage and slapped him with a five-second time penalty, which effectively ended his hopes of a podium finish.

However, what infuriated Hamilton and his fans was the FIA’s decision not to penalize Verstappen, who had earlier gone off track in a near-identical incident but faced no repercussions. The inconsistency sparked widespread debate, with many questioning whether Formula 1’s race officials apply rules evenly across drivers and teams.

“This is unbelievable,” Hamilton fumed after the race. “I got penalized for something that others clearly got away with. When you’ve been in this sport as long as I have, you start noticing patterns. The treatment isn’t always fair — and maybe that’s because of who I am and what I represent.”

His words echoed through the paddock and social media alike, reigniting discussions about diversity, fairness, and the FIA’s integrity. Hamilton, who became F1’s first and only Black driver in 2007, has frequently spoken about facing discrimination both on and off the track. His latest remarks came at a tense moment, as the sport continues to grapple with accusations of inconsistency and bias in stewarding decisions.

Several figures within F1’s community have already weighed in. Former drivers and analysts expressed concern over what they called “double standards” in the FIA’s decision-making. One former team principal, speaking anonymously, told reporters: “If two drivers commit the same mistake, both should face the same consequence. Anything else undermines the credibility of the sport.”

Meanwhile, social media platforms erupted with divided opinions. Some fans rallied behind Hamilton, praising his courage to call out what they view as long-standing injustices. Others argued that the Briton was overreacting and that the penalty was justified under current race regulations.

Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur refrained from directly commenting on the discrimination claim but expressed support for Hamilton’s frustration. “We all want fair racing,” he said. “If Lewis feels the decisions were inconsistent, it’s something that needs to be reviewed carefully.”

In response, an FIA spokesperson insisted that all penalties were issued according to established rules and that there was “no bias or discrimination” in their application. The governing body emphasized its commitment to equality, adding that stewards operate independently during race weekends.

Still, this controversy adds to the growing list of complaints regarding FIA’s stewarding inconsistency in recent seasons. From track limit violations to penalty inconsistencies involving leading drivers, fans and experts alike have voiced concerns about how subjective interpretations can alter championship outcomes.

For Hamilton, the issue cuts deeper than just one race. The 39-year-old has spent years pushing for diversity and accountability within Formula 1, founding initiatives such as Mission 44 to promote inclusivity in motorsport. Yet, as he made clear after Sunday’s race, he believes there’s still a long way to go.

“I’ve given everything to this sport,” Hamilton said, visibly frustrated. “All I ask for is fair treatment — not special treatment, just fairness. If that’s too much to ask after nearly two decades in F1, then something’s wrong.”

As Ferrari prepares for the next race, the fallout from Hamilton’s comments is expected to continue dominating headlines. Whether the FIA conducts a formal review of the incident remains uncertain, but what’s clear is that Hamilton’s powerful words have reignited one of Formula 1’s most uncomfortable yet necessary conversations — about fairness, race, and the integrity of the sport’s decision-making process.

At the heart of the debate lies a question that extends beyond Mexico City: Can Formula 1 truly achieve equality and impartiality when one of its greatest champions still feels singled out?

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