F1 Stewards Issue Mexico Turn 1 Warning to Avoid Repeat of 2025 Chaos
Summary
Mexican GP stewards have clarified first-lap track-limits enforcement after last year’s four-wide Turn 1 chaos, warning drivers that cutting the corner to hold position can count as gaining a lasting advantage.
The Mexican Grand Prix stewards have issued a pre-race clarification to all teams and drivers aimed at preventing a repeat of last year’s first-lap chaos at Turn 1.
Why it matters:
The note puts drivers on notice that leaving the track and keeping a position can be treated as gaining a lasting advantage, not simply a mistake. It is guidance on existing driving standards rather than a new regulation, but it removes room for interpretation.
The details:
- In 2025, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton went four-wide into Turn 1; Verstappen and Leclerc cut the grass.
- A fifth of the grid also took the escape route, including Kimi Antonelli, Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson.
- George Russell criticised the lack of punishment, arguing drivers who braked too late could rejoin and keep position.
- For the first lap and the first lap after any restart, Turns 1-3 and 4-6 will be treated as both attacking and defending zones.
- A driver who leaves the track there and stays ahead of cars in close proximity may be deemed to have gained a lasting advantage unless the position is yielded by Turn 4 or Turn 12 respectively.
What's next:
The directive gives stewards a clearer framework to penalise corner-cutting that protects track position. It will not stop aggressive opening-lap moves, but drivers now know exactly where they must hand back a place.
Original Article :https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1s-attempt-to-prevent-a-repeat-of-mexico-tur...
