Lewis Hamilton was one of several drivers who were caught up in the lap one chaos at the front of the grid at the start of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The seven-time champion was momentarily second on the road before losing a place to team-mate Charles Leclerc, who skipped Turn 2 by taking to the run-off area.
Nevertheless, in the laps that followed, Hamilton held onto the third position and could begin to dream of a maiden podium in red.
However, on lap six of the race, a battle commenced with Max Verstappen. It began at Turn 1 and continued all the way to Turn 4 - at which point, George Russell and Oliver Bearman got involved.
Hamilton locked up and ran wide, skating across the grass before re-emerging back in front of Verstappen.
The Ferrari driver was then investigated for two separate incidents - one, for failing to follow the race director's instructions, and two, for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
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Hamilton is let off - before handed a costly penalty
A run-off area and safe route back to the grid were installed after Turn 4 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez, which the drivers were required to take should they run wide.
Hamilton, however, failed to do so on this occasion and used the grass to make his way back onto the circuit. The stewards, however, acknowledged Hamilton was not in enough control to make the escape road.
“Car 44 locked brakes on the approach to turn 4 and went into the run-off area,” read a statement.
“The stewards determined that the car was carrying too much speed to enable the driver to use the prescribed escape road, and for that reason the driver had a justifiable reason for failing to comply with the Race Director’s instruction.
“Given the circumstances, the stewards took no further action.”
However, it quickly became apparent that Hamilton was not out of firing line.
He was flagged for gaining an advantage over Verstappen via the route he took back to the asphalt, which was apparent by the gap that existed between the two after he got his car back under control.
The stewards swiftly handed Hamilton a 10-second time penalty, which he served during his first pit stop.
Explaining why he was handed the penalty, the stewards stated: “Car 44 locked brakes, left the track at Turn 4 and used the grass area while rejoining in the direction of Turn 5.
“As the driver was unable to follow the route prescribed by the Race Director along the 'yellow line' due to an excess of speed, no breach of the race director’s notes is deemed to have occurred.
“However, by leaving the track and cutting the corner, the driver gained a lasting advantage, overtaking Car 1 and failing to give back the position thereafter.
“The standard penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage is therefore imposed.”
Hamilton ended the race in eighth place.
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