Remember the Singapore GP? The one race where Red Bull and Max Verstappen looked off-kilter? It wasn’t just the race that caught Verstappen out. It was the whole weekend. The chaos started in qualifying when Verstappen was subject to three impeding incidents, one of which was eerily similar to something that happened during qualifying at the Mexican GP. Just like the Dutchman had to make a trip to the stewards in Singapore, he had to do the same in Mexico as well. But he wasn’t alone. He had Lewis Hamilton among others for company.

The FIA hasn’t been too consistent with its decisions and penalties lately, with the Qatar GP incident with Lewis Hamilton being brought up again at the US GP. As confusing as that was, nothing could beat the confusion that followed Verstappen’s investigations after the Singapore qualifying. But it looks like the FIA might be beginning to turn over a new leaf.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen narrowly escaped Mexican GP penalties

In Singapore, Verstappen impeded Yuki Tsunoda and Logan Sargeant during qualifying. To add to that, he also stopped at the pit exit to avoid traffic and inadvertently blocked drivers behind him. When he went to the stewards for the three incidents, he didn’t get a single grid penalty. Drivers were left confused, especially Pierre Gasly, who got a six-place grid penalty at the Spanish GP for impeding. Verstappen himself admitted he should’ve gotten at least one penalty if not three. Despite that inconsistency in the FIA’s functioning, it looks like it’s stuck to what it did in Singapore.

During Q2 in Mexico, Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and George Russell blocked the pit exit, waiting to create a gap with the cars in front. Considering this hampers other drivers and could cost them, it’s a practice the FIA discourages, and who doesn’t remember the 2007 Hungarian GP debacle between Alonso and Hamilton? Even so, they did it, and after qualifying, were summoned to the stewards’ room. With them, Lewis Hamilton and Logan Sargeant were being investigated for failing to slow under yellow flags.

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In Q1, Alonso had a late spin in Sector 1 while Hamilton was on a flying lap. The stewards obviously thought the seven-time champion didn’t slow down enough. However, after deliberations, the FIA has made its decision on all the investigations. As per a tweet by The Race, “No further action against Verstappen, Russell and Alonso for alleged impeding at the pit exit, and no further action against Hamilton for allegedly failing to slow under yellow flags.”

Verstappen will start Sunday’s race from P3, Hamilton from P6, Russell from P8, and Alonso from P13. While many may feel that causing queues at the pit exit isn’t sportsmanlike, Russell justified his actions.

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Russell cleared Verstappen and Alonso’s names along with his

Forming a queue at the pit exit wasn’t the only thing George Russell was investigated for. On his out-lap, the FIA found that he – along with Lando Norris and Zhou Guanyu – exceeded the maximum delta time to finish their laps. When Russell found out about this in a post-qualifying interview, he gave his thoughts on the subject.

He explained how, with everyone wanting to exit the pit, everything got chaotic. “They ask us not to stop in the pitlane to get your gap, which means you have to then take your gap on track. For me, to go 10 miles an hour down the straight when cars are passing at 220, I think is a lot more dangerous than doing it in the pitlane. I don’t expect anything to come from it, but for sure, a better solution needs to be found,” said Russell.

Qualifying at the Mexican GP was dramatic, to say the least. A Ferrari front-row lockout out of nowhere, shock exits, and countless stewards’ investigations. All of it only added to the drama of the F1 circus. But what’s your take on the FIA’s decision? Do you think Verstappen, Hamilton, and the others should’ve received penalties?

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