Montoya Questions Hamilton Penalty at Mexican GP, Citing Controversy

Juan Pablo Montoya has openly criticized the penalty handed to Lewis Hamilton at the recent Mexican Grand Prix, calling the decision "controversial." He argues that Ferrari missed out on a double podium finish because of the ruling and believes Max Verstappen should also have been penalized for an earlier incident involving Hamilton.

Why it matters:

Controversial stewarding decisions often ignite passionate debates within the F1 community, raising questions about consistency and fairness in applying racing rules. Montoya's comments, coming from a former F1 driver, add significant weight to the discussion, highlighting a perceived imbalance in how similar incidents were judged, and potentially influencing how fans and pundits view race control's efficacy.

The Details:

• Montoya's Stance: On the AS Colombia podcast, Juan Pablo Montoya stated, "They had a chance for a double podium if Hamilton hadn't been penalised. It would have been a double podium for them, and I don't know, that's controversial." He specifically pointed out that "Max took Hamilton out and forced him off the track, even though they were side by side" in an earlier incident.
• The Incident: The contentious moment occurred on Lap 6 of the Mexican Grand Prix. Max Verstappen lunged at Hamilton into Turn 1. Verstappen then cut the chicane, rejoining the track ahead of Hamilton. Hamilton, attempting to regain his third position, locked up and skidded off the track. He rejoined without properly using the escape road and gained an advantage over Verstappen.
• Stewards' Decision: Race control at the Mexico City Grand Prix issued a 10-second penalty to Lewis Hamilton for his actions, while Max Verstappen received no penalty for the initial aggressive maneuver and subsequent track re-entry.
• Contrasting Opinions: While Montoya questioned the decision, former F1 driver Martin Brundle supported the stewards, labeling the incident "very grey" but ultimately agreeing with the penalty on Hamilton, suggesting Hamilton had opened the door to Verstappen's attack.

Between the lines:

Montoya's critique underscores a recurring theme in F1 stewarding: the perceived inconsistency in applying penalties, particularly when top drivers are involved. His argument that Verstappen should have been penalized for forcing Hamilton off-track in an earlier maneuver, despite being side-by-side, suggests a double standard in how 'track limits' and 'gaining an advantage' are interpreted. This kind of debate often leads to calls for clearer and more consistent guidelines for race control.

What's next:

While the Mexican Grand Prix is over, the debate sparked by Montoya is likely to echo through the next few race weekends, especially if similar incidents occur. The ongoing discussions will put pressure on the FIA to clarify and potentially refine their guidelines for track limits and aggressive driving, ensuring greater consistency and transparency in future rulings.