The fallout from the Mexican Grand Prix has exploded into one of the biggest controversies of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The FIA’s latest rulings have shaken the championship to its core, with Lewis Hamilton hit with an additional 10-second penalty — and now, calls for Max Verstappen to face similar punishment are growing louder by the hour.
What started as a thrilling race has turned into a political firestorm. Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc, and Norris all went wheel-to-wheel into Turn 1, in what appeared to be a hard but fair fight. Yet while Verstappen and Leclerc escaped scrutiny after running wide, Hamilton’s near-identical move drew a severe sanction, dropping him from third on the track to a disappointing eighth place.
Hamilton’s fury was immediate and unfiltered over team radio:
“So Verstappen can push wide all day, and I get penalized for racing? Unbelievable.”
Fans erupted online, accusing the FIA of double standards and favoritism toward Verstappen, echoing the bitterness of the 2021 Abu Dhabi controversy that remains a scar on the sport’s integrity. Former drivers and analysts have also weighed in — Martin Brundle, Damon Hill, and Karun Chandhok among them — all questioning the inconsistency in the stewards’ decisions.
Meanwhile, FIA race director Niels Wittich defended the call, insisting Hamilton “gained a lasting advantage” by cutting the corner. But leaked telemetry data reportedly shows that Verstappen exceeded track limits on at least three separate occasions — without any investigation or penalty. The outrage has grown so severe that Mercedes is reportedly considering a formal protest, while McLaren and Ferrari have privately voiced concern over the uneven application of rules.
The ripple effects on the championship battle are enormous. Lando Norris still leads the standings, but Verstappen’s podium finish has closed the gap to just seven points, while Hamilton now trails Leclerc by a daunting 64 points. Every remaining race — from Brazil to Abu Dhabi — could now hinge on how aggressively the FIA enforces its own rules.
Social media has exploded with hashtags like #JusticeForHamilton and #FIAFavoritism, and tensions are reaching boiling point in the paddock. The FIA, facing massive scrutiny, has announced that a review of race stewarding procedures will take place before the next Grand Prix — a rare move that suggests the governing body knows it’s on thin ice.
As the chaos unfolds, one thing is clear:
This isn’t just about penalties anymore — it’s about trust. The FIA’s credibility is on the line, and Formula 1 now teeters between fair competition and total controversy.
Will Verstappen escape untouched once again, or will the FIA finally act to restore balance? The world is watching — and this storm is far from over.
