Lewis Hamilton has come under fresh criticism following Ferrari’s disappointing Mexican Grand Prix, with a PlanetF1 analysis arguing that the seven-time world champion was not entirely innocent in the controversial opening-lap clash with Charles Leclerc. While Leclerc received a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage, questions have also been raised about Hamilton’s own role in the incident. Meanwhile, newly crowned Formula 1 champion Kimi Antonelli has already made an important decision regarding his future identity on the grid, confirming that he intends to retain his familiar race number for the 2027 season.
LEWIS HAMILTON FACES CRITICISM OVER FERRARI’S OPENING-LAP CLASH
The Hamilton-Leclerc incident remains one of the most explosive talking points following the Mexican Grand Prix, with Ferrari struggling to escape the controversy surrounding its two drivers.
Leclerc was penalised after leaving the circuit and gaining a lasting advantage during his battle with Hamilton. However, PlanetF1 journalist Mat Coch argued that Hamilton’s reaction during the confrontation also deserved scrutiny.
Coch described Hamilton’s reaction as inexcusable, arguing that it left Leclerc with little option but to leave the track. He further suggested that Ferrari management should take action over Hamilton’s role in the incident.
The criticism adds another dimension to Ferrari’s already uncomfortable situation. While Leclerc received the official punishment, Hamilton’s conduct has become a separate subject of debate, particularly after his public frustration with his teammate following the race.
FERRARI’S MEXICAN GP COLLAPSE LEAVES THE TEAM UNDER PRESSURE
Ferrari entered the Mexican Grand Prix with genuine hopes of securing a strong result, but the opening-lap confrontation between its drivers ultimately overshadowed its performance.
Hamilton and Leclerc were involved in an intense battle that complicated Ferrari’s race and allowed Max Verstappen to capitalise. The controversy has also raised questions about whether Ferrari’s internal racing arrangements are sufficiently clear to prevent similar situations from developing.
The consequences extend beyond one disappointing Sunday. Ferrari is competing for valuable championship points, and every lost opportunity could influence its position against Mercedes and Red Bull.
With the Brazilian Grand Prix approaching, Ferrari will have an important opportunity to address the situation before another weekend becomes dominated by disagreements between its drivers.
KIMI ANTONELLI CONFIRMS HIS F1 2027 RACE NUMBER
While Ferrari continues dealing with the fallout from Mexico, Kimi Antonelli has already settled an important question surrounding his championship-winning future.
The Mercedes driver has confirmed that he intends to retain race number 12 for the 2027 Formula 1 season, despite becoming world champion.
Winning the championship gives a driver the opportunity to use number one, a privilege previously embraced by Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. However, Antonelli appears determined to maintain the personal number that has become associated with his racing identity.
The decision reflects a preference for continuity rather than changing his branding simply because he has reached the top of the sport.
Antonelli’s championship victory has already transformed his standing in Formula 1. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest world champion in the sport’s history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record.
Keeping number 12 could allow him to maintain the identity that accompanied his remarkable rise through the junior categories and into Mercedes’ championship-winning campaign.
MAX VERSTAPPEN AND RYO HIRAKAWA IMPRESS IN MEXICO
PlanetF1’s Mexican Grand Prix driver ratings also highlighted several standout performances from the weekend.
Max Verstappen and Haas debutant Ryo Hirakawa both received impressive ratings of 9/10. Verstappen continued his remarkable resurgence, claiming another victory and securing his third win in four races.
The Dutchman’s performance further demonstrated how much Red Bull’s competitiveness has improved. After beginning the season under pressure, Verstappen has become a major force again, delivering results that continue to challenge the established championship order.
Hirakawa also earned recognition after finishing 10th on his unexpected Haas debut. Replacing Esteban Ocon on Saturday, the Japanese driver managed to produce a respectable performance despite limited preparation.
George Russell, meanwhile, received a disappointing 4/10 following another difficult weekend. The Mercedes driver endured further frustration after a race in which opportunities for a stronger result were lost.
FIA PENALTIES DEAL ANOTHER BLOW TO ALPINE
Alpine also suffered a significant setback after the FIA confirmed post-race penalties for Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.
Both drivers had initially finished inside the points-paying positions, with Colapinto classified eighth and Gasly 10th. However, yellow-flag infringements resulted in penalties that pushed them down to 15th and 17th respectively.
The punishment also included additional penalty points on their FIA super licences, making the consequences more serious than simply losing championship points.
For Alpine, the penalties represented another frustrating outcome from a weekend in which the team had briefly appeared capable of collecting a valuable result.
The incident reinforces how critical compliance with yellow-flag regulations remains in modern Formula 1. Even when drivers successfully complete a race, investigations can dramatically change the final standings.
BRAZIL GRAND PRIX COULD PROVIDE THE NEXT MAJOR ANSWERS
The Mexican Grand Prix has left several teams facing difficult questions ahead of the next round in Brazil.
Ferrari must address the growing tension between Hamilton and Leclerc, while Mercedes will hope Russell can recover from another frustrating weekend. Red Bull, meanwhile, appears increasingly dangerous following Verstappen’s latest victory.
Antonelli will arrive as the newly crowned world champion, with the pressure of defending his status beginning to build even before the 2027 season.
His decision to retain number 12 is a reminder that winning the championship does not necessarily mean changing everything that helped a driver reach the top.
For Ferrari, however, the immediate priority is considerably more complicated. The team must find a way to prevent internal disagreements from undermining its competitiveness again, particularly with the championship battle still carrying significant consequences for its future.
The Brazilian Grand Prix could therefore become another crucial test of Ferrari’s ability to manage its drivers, protect its results and restore confidence after one of the most controversial weekends of its season.
