Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): “The FIA needs to address this as a matter of urgency”

This is how Mexico Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen and his closest rival Lewis Hamilton spoke to each other after the thrilling race. Lewis: “You’ve just got too much power on the straights, for goodness’ sake.” – Verstappen: “I needed that too, given how fast you are through the corners.”

Both multiple world champions highlighted the so-called ‘clipping’ – when a modern Formula 1 car slows down at the end of a straight because the power unit is recharging.

Hamilton: “It’s so daft, this clipping.” – Max: “Yes, that’s true, it kills any attempt to overtake going into Turn 1.” – Lewis: “I just don’t understand them; it’s almost as if they’ve got no common sense.”

Later, Lewis Hamilton elaborated: “You simply can’t overtake like this; I’m sure Max and Kimi would agree with me. That’s why the FIA needs to sort this out as a matter of urgency. We’ve got this clipping at the end of the straight, where you can’t go any faster than a certain speed, so everyone just follows the car in front.”

“It’s the daftest thing there is – when you’re driving behind and have a bit more momentum in the slipstream, you should still be able to get past your opponent to have a chance of overtaking. But clipping ruins everything.”

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“That’s the worst engine setup we’ve ever had in the sport; it certainly doesn’t promote good racing. That’s why, unfortunately, we didn’t see many overtaking manoeuvres at the Mexican Grand Prix. And that’s a shame.”