Karun Chandhok says Ferrari engineer ‘riled up’ Lewis Hamilton with unnecessary message at Mexican Grand Prix

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Lewis Hamilton endured another frustrating race in 2025 as a 10-second time penalty at the Mexican Grand Prix ruined the chance of his maiden podium for Ferrari.

Hamilton qualified third for the Mexico City Grand Prix in what was his best starting position at Ferrari. He lined up behind teammate Charles Leclerc and polesitter Lando Norris as he looked to end his podiumless streak in 2025.

The opening laps were utter chaos as Hamilton went four-wide with Norris, Leclerc and Max Verstappen into turn one. The latter two ran wide and overtook the Brit, but only Verstappen handed the position back, despite Hamilton being ahead of Leclerc on corner entry.

On lap six, Hamilton was involved in a battle with Verstappen when the Red Bull driver lunged into turn one, colliding with the Ferrari. At turn four, Hamilton ran wide onto the escape road, which landed him with a 10-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

Karun Chandhok ‘surprised’ Ferrari did not tell Lewis Hamilton to ‘back off’ before Mexican GP penalty

Hamilton felt Verstappen pushed him wide on an unbroadcast radio, but the stewards deemed there was no wrongdoing. The 40-year-old ran across the grass rather than the escape path, which led to his penalty.

Fans were furious over Hamilton’s penalty, claiming that Verstappen should have been penalised for his first lap incident and the collision with the Brit. Speaking via Sky Sports F1 (26/10, 8:25 pm), Karun Chandhok was ‘surprised’ that Ferrari did not tell Hamilton to ‘back off’ and not risk a penalty.

“That’s a big blow for Hamilton there,” he said. You know what, I’m surprised, because we saw it from it in the commentary box.

“We have a microcosm of the data that the engineers and teams have down on the pit wall. I’m surprised Ferrari didn’t tell Lewis to just back off.

“Let’s just back off, the gap that he gained was evident for everyone to see. Just tell him straight away, back off, allow the other cars to come close behind and, not necessarily let them pass, but just give away the time advantage. Then you’ve got a case to make.”

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Karun Chandhok criticises Ricciardo Adami for ‘poor communication’ to Lewis Hamilton after penalty

After the penalty was issued by the FIA, Hamilton’s race engineer Riccardo Adami told Hamilton to keep his head down as he said over the radio: “We have a 10-second time penalty for the incident at turn four with Verstappen. We don’t agree but let’s keep the head down.”

Hamilton was not impressed as he replied: “That’s such **** man. The grip is so small there. The grip there is so low.” But Chandhok criticised Adami for his ‘poor communication’, as he did not relay all the information to his driver.

“That’s poor communication, because you’ve unnecessarily riled up the driver without giving him all of the facts.

“And I think, that’s not actually true. He’s not been given a penalty for the incident, he’s been given the penalty because he gained time.”