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Driving Standards Clarification Ahead of Mexico GP
Ahead of Sunday's Mexico Grand Prix, Formula 1 stewards have issued a clarification regarding the application of the Driving Standards Guidelines. Formula 1's governing body acts to clear up ambiguity surrounding wheel-to-wheel battles and corner ownership before the action begins in Mexico.
Response to 2025 Turn 1 Incidents
This comes after chaos at Turn 1 on the opening lap of the Mexico Grand Prix in 2025, when both Charles Leclerc and George Russell cut the corner. In normal scenarios, it would have been expected that the duo would have been penalised. However, on this occasion, neither the Mercedes nor the Ferrari driver received any form of penalty. This was not the only occasion of chaos at the opening corners at the Mexico Grand Prix, as it has been a historic and controversial problem at the event. The stewards have now made an attempt to stamp out the issues ahead of the 2026 edition of the Mexico Grand Prix, so there is no repeat of the antics from 2025.
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Default Status for Opening Lap and Resumptions
A statement from the stewards regarding the opening lap was issued to all drivers and teams. Applicable for this event, on Lap 1 and the first lap after any resumption, in Turns 1 to 3, and Turns 4 to 6, all cars will, by default, be considered as both attacking and defending.
Lasting Advantage Criteria and Surrender Points
Thus, in line with existing guidelines, any car leaving the track in these areas and maintaining a position to a car or cars within close proximity behind, as determined by the stewards, may be considered as gaining a lasting advantage unless such position is yielded by Turn 4 in the case of a car leaving the track in the area of Turns 1 to 3, or by Turn 12 in the case of a car leaving the track in the area of Turns 4 to 6.
Hamilton on Pole as Antonelli Chases Title
Lewis Hamilton will start the 2026 Mexico Grand Prix from pole position after he secured his 105th pole position in the sport. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli can win the title, but he will start the Grand Prix from fourth place in the Mercedes.
