Lewis Hamilton reveals penalty frustration after Max Verstappen battle

Lewis Hamilton has revealed his frustration at being handed a 10-second time penalty during the Mexico City Grand Prix, following an intense battle with Max Verstappen. 

Hamilton made a good start from third and contested for the lead into the first corner, while both Charles Leclerc and Verstappen went off the circuit and onto the grass. 

The seven-time world champion cleanly got through the opening corners, although remained in third behind Lando Norris and Leclerc, who rejoined ahead of the 40-year-old. 

Just over a handful of laps later and Hamilton found himself under attack from Verstappen, who dived down the inside at Turn 1. 

Small contact was made which forced Hamilton wide, with Verstappen having then cut the following corner as his 2021 rival rejoined the track. 

Seconds later at Turn 4, and a lock up sent Hamilton down the escape road, before he cut the grass and rejoined ahead of Verstappen. 

He was awarded a 10-second time penalty as a result for leaving the circuit and gaining an advantage, which was served during his first stop. 

It ruined the veteran's race who finished in eighth, with him being left surprised to have been the only lead driver penalised for going off the circuit.

"I had a great start, and breaking into Turn 1, I was into P2," Hamilton told select media including RacingNews365: "I navigated through Turns 1, 2 and 3, didn't go off track. 

"Others cut it and held position, and didn't get penalties."

Hamilton discovered 'dustiest place on Earth'

It was a fiery battle from Turns 1 to 4 between Hamilton and Verstappen which also cost the Dutchman valuable seconds, although the Red Bull driver recovered to finish in third.

Despite both going off the circuit at one point, Hamilton had no problem with Verstappen's aggression, deeming it as "racing".

Asked if he was surprised Verstappen was not penalised for the Turn 1 clash, Hamilton said: "It felt like racing. I was fine there. 

"It's just the cutting, and then I'm the only one to get a 10-second penalty. It's a 10-second stop-and-go."

Hamilton's mistake at Turn 4 proved massively costly, and would have likely ended any hope of a podium even without the punishment from the stewards. 

Answering if something was wrong at the car ahead of running off, Hamilton responded: "No, I pitched the right front. 

"I went to go down the exit road, but it's like the dustiest place on Earth, and then I couldn't slow the car down, so I ended up cutting the grass."