Formula 1’s Mexican Grand Prix stewards have issued updated guidance to teams and drivers after several cars ran off track during the opening lap of last year’s race.
In 2025, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton went four-wide into Turn 1. Verstappen and Leclerc crossed the grass, while Leclerc initially retained the lead before yielding to Norris at the Turn 4 left-hander. Kimi Antonelli, Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson also used the grass at Turn 1, meaning five drivers from the grid took that route.
George Russell, who was behind the leading group, criticised the lack of penalties after the race. He argued that drivers who braked too late and cut the corner were able to continue without losing their positions, and also questioned the absence of a penalty after Verstappen went off track at Turn 4 and rejoined ahead of him.
The stewards have now clarified that, on the first lap and the first lap after any safety-car or red-flag resumption, cars will generally be considered to be both attacking and defending through Turns 1 to 3 and Turns 4 to 6.
Under the guidance, a car that leaves the track in those sections and maintains its position relative to a car or cars close behind may be deemed to have gained a lasting advantage. The driver would then be expected to give up the position by Turn 4 if the incident occurred at Turns 1 to 3, or by Turn 12 if it occurred at Turns 4 to 6.
The clarification means a penalty may apply not only when a driver gains a position by leaving the circuit, but also when cutting a corner prevents that driver from losing a position.
Sources: The Race.