Fans tell F1 to make ‘massive’ Mexican Grand Prix track change after Max Verstappen avoids penalty

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Max Verstappen successfully avoided punishment for cutting across turn one on lap one of the Mexican Grand Prix.

After skating ever so close to the barriers on the outside of the track, the Dutchman then conceded a position at turn four, before getting on with his race. Receiving a penalty would have been a killer blow in his drivers’ championship hunt, particularly after a heroic comeback in the second half of the race.

Despite starting fifth, Verstappen had a chance to lead into turn one at the Mexican Grand Prix, but misjudged his braking on the kerb, locking up and taking full advantage of the grass run-off area. Some felt the Red Bull driver had gained an advantage and was lucky to avoid a penalty for the matter.

Verstappen’s pace wasn’t on Lando Norris’s level, which meant that victory was out of reach anyway. However, Verstappen did prove one Laurent Mekies prediction wrong by managing to challenge Charles Leclerc at the end of the race, who his boss felt would be out of reach on Sunday.

READ MORE: Fred Vasseur shares his verdict on Max Verstappen avoiding a penalty for Lewis Hamilton clash in Mexico

Fans campaign for F1 to add gravel at turn one after Max Verstappen avoids Mexican Grand Prix penalty

Fans criticised the stewards for not giving Verstappen a penalty after a clash with Lewis Hamilton, which saw both drivers go off the track after an ambitious overtake. The Briton was handed a 10-second penalty, while yet again, the reigning champion was let off.

Hamilton’s infringement was to do with failing to follow the race director’s instructions (not driving across a small run-off strip) rather than gaining an advantage, which may be why a different view was reached.

Addressing lap one on X (formerly known as Twitter), Karun Chandhok posted a tweet that Formula 1 fans have taken a liking to, delivering their opinion on what should be done at turn one to prevent drivers from flying across it.

“Replace the grass with GRAVEL, that should focus their attention,” said one fan.

“I think a massive gravel trap would work just fine, to be honest,” agreed another.

Someone else took a slight aim at the stewards for the verdict they reached, saying, “Nah, don’t take away one of the very few dramatic moments we get these days. Maybe gravel would be better or better stewarding.”

The agreement continued as this fan added, “Gravel with a runoff [or] rejoin road that follows the walls to make sure there’s no benefit to taking the rejoin.”

This advocate of gravel also added some examples, which do prove that the solution works: “You know what will fix it, too? Gravel traps. But not the thin strips like at Monza, I mean the ones like on the outside of La Source.”

And finally, one last fan says it’s worth a try, and to see whether the drivers try the same thing when the championship returns after the start of the 2026 F1 regulations, “Just put some gravel where everyone was taking advantage, and let’s see if they try it next year in the same position.”

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton reacts to Max Verstappen collision in unbroadcast Mexican Grand Prix radio

Did Max Verstappen deserve a penalty at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix?

Looking back on lap one, it’s clear to see that Verstappen gave up a lot of time heading into turn four, filtering himself back to fourth place.

It was likely the crucial bit of evidence that spared him from the stewards’ wrath. A five or even 10-second time penalty could have been issued otherwise.

That would have set him back even further after the first round of pit stops (even he was one of few on a one-stop), which would have left him with more work to do in his second stint.

The penalty, as well as the additional time lost in traffic, would’ve put him somewhere near Oscar Piastri on track, promoting Haas’ Oliver Bearman to third, and his championship rival to fourth if he wasn’t able to recover the places by the end.