Lewis Hamilton urges FIA to make major change involving Max Verstappen as unaired radio messages emerge after Mexican GP
Lewis Hamilton has called on the FIA to make a major change after an unheard radio message regarding Max Verstappen emerged.
On Sunday, Mercedes superstar Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula One champion ever as he secured the 2026 title with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Ahead of him, finished fellow champions Hamilton and Verstappen, who joined in the celebrations despite a controversial moment mid-race that has since led to Hamilton calling on the FIA to implement significant rule changes.
Lewis Hamilton calls for FIA changes after Mex Verstappen incident at Mexico City GP
Verstappen finished on top of the podium in Mexico, as the Dutchman continues his trend of late season resurgences with it being his third victory in four races.
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Towards the end of the race the four-time champion held off Hamilton, who finished second following a clash with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, finishing just 0.799 seconds ahead of his long-time rival.
However, post-race Hamilton called on the FIA to make major changes to address 'these silly clips' put in place for the race.
Hamilton said: “We had let Max past and the race was done from there. You can’t overtake here.
“I think it’s something the FIA need to do and it’s just quite bad. I’m sure these guys [Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli] would agree.
“We have this clip at the end of the straight where you can’t go past a certain speed, so everyone just follows.
“It’s the silliest thing when you are behind and you have a little bit more power in the slipstream.
“You should be able to go past that to have a chance to overtake. The engine can go faster. It’s just they have these silly clips.
“It’s the worst engine profile setting that I think they’ve probably ever had in this sport and it doesn’t provide great racing, so today you probably didn’t see much overtaking, unfortunately, because of that.
“Obviously, the starts were fun, but it’s a very hard track to follow with the thin air and low downforce."
Essentially, Hamilton is arguing that the power restrictions put in place in Mexico blunted the slipstream advantage on Mexico’s long straight.
Normally, following in another car’s slipstream reduces air resistance, helping you accelerate and overtake, but the profile in Mexico meant that, although he could get close to his rival, he wasn't able to generate the speed necessary to get past before Turn One.
“I gave it everything to try and get close to Max, but maybe they needed… I don’t know if they need to change the last corner because it’s so quick. I don’t know," Hamilton added.
“There could be a change to the track, maybe, to enable us to have a little bit better racing.
“But everyone having this [clipping] this year just diminishes any opportunity of that.”
Although it seems significant, Hamilton's suggestion of altering the clipping could be considered for the 2027 season, and could lead to major changes across the grid.
For every team, easing the restrictions could help faster cars overtake and make it harder for slower cars to defend, essentially making for more exciting racing.
Across the grid, easing the restrictions could help faster cars overtake and make it harder for slower cars to defend purely through track position. Every team could benefit when attacking and become more vulnerable when defending.
It could favour manufacturers with stronger petrol engines, while reducing the advantage of those with superior electrical systems.
READ MORE: Charles Leclerc Ferrari contract detail emerges which changes everything about Lewis Hamilton saga
Lewis Hamilton calls for FIA changes after Mex Verstappen incident at Mexico City GP
Hamilton's comments came after unaired radio message from the race revealed the exact moment he gave up any hope of passing Verstappen and stealing the win.
On Lap 64, the seven-time champion's race engineer informed him that both overtake mode and boost were available to make a late move on Verstappen.
However, Hamilton, clearly unhappy with the situation, clearly wasn't confident, as he replied, asking: "How am I supposed to overtake the Red Bull engine?"
While in the post-race cooldown room, Hamilton further addressed these comments, telling Verstappen that the Red Bull car has “too much power on the straights”
In response, Verstappen quipped: "I mean, I needed it with your cornering!"
The pair then spoke about the same clipping issue Hamilton highlighted earlier, with Verstappen agreeing that it 'really kills the overtaking' ahead of Turn One in Mexico.
Topics: Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, FIA
Ben McCrum
