Photo via The Race

FIA explains controversial Leclerc penalty decision

The FIA stewards issued a five-second penalty to Charles Leclerc following an opening-lap incident at the Mexico Grand Prix. Leclerc bypassed the track while battling Lewis Hamilton for the lead, subsequently allowing Max Verstappen to overtake Hamilton for second place.

While the standard penalty for such an infraction is ten seconds, officials cited mitigating factors, noting that Hamilton also exited the track while defending his position. Hamilton expressed frustration with the decision, arguing that the penalty provided Leclerc with an unfair advantage in clean air.

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