Juan Pablo Montoya calls for "consequences" for Ferrari drivers following the debacle at the Mexican GP.
Former Formula 1 competitor and F1 TV analyst Juan Pablo Montoya has stated that there should be "consequences" for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following their first-lap clash that potentially cost Ferrari the victory at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Both racers went off track as Leclerc tried to pass Hamilton, who had claimed the pole position. Leclerc came out ahead, while Hamilton lost a spot to Red Bull's Max Verstappen. The Monegasque driver received a five-second penalty for the incident, and Verstappen eventually secured the win.
During F1 TV's post-race analysis, Montoya called for Ferrari to implement repercussions for its drivers.
"There need to be serious discussions, and there should be penalties," the former racer stated. "They have to understand that there will be consequences for their actions, as they should have won today."
Ex-IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe, who joined Montoya on the broadcast, remarked: "Max is phenomenal. Red Bull executed their strategy flawlessly. However, this wasn't a race that Red Bull triumphed in; it was a race that Ferrari squandered. Looking at the upcoming tracks, barring a miracle, this was likely their best opportunity for the remainder of the year to secure a victory. They earned it. They qualified strongly, and their drivers let them down today."
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur emphasized the need for respect from his drivers after the incident.
"I believe it’s fundamentally about respect—respect for the brand, for the sponsors, for the team, and for the 2,000 individuals putting in relentless effort at home. We are making progress in terms of performance, and we took a positive step forward," the Frenchman told Sky Sports F1.
"With both upgrades, the team members at home are working tirelessly. Honestly, it’s tough for me to come to terms with losing a victory like this. I will have time to discuss this with them, but to be honest, today I’m feeling a bit down."
Ferrari will now turn its focus to the Brazilian Grand Prix scheduled for this week.
More from this section
Cadillac to probe into the high-speed failure at the Mexico GP that triggered a furious response from Valtteri Bottas.
What was the standout moment for Kimi Antonelli during his championship-winning F1 season? Our team shares their perspectives.
Mercedes penalized for George Russell neglecting F1 Mexico GP media obligations.
Toto Wolff criticizes F1’s “privileged” drivers and the “constant complainers on the radio.”
Kimi Antonelli desires a unique photograph featuring Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to display on his wall following his Formula 1 championship victory.
