Lewis Hamilton issues Ferrari update as new ‘processes’ put into place

Ferrari’s tightened processes helped Leclerc secure a Mexico podium and Hamilton salvage points despite a 10s penalty. Betting takeaway: back Leclerc or Ferrari for consistent top‑5 finishes and podium markets; be wary of wagering on Hamilton for podiums until his aggression and steward exposure are less of a factor.

Hamilton penalised after wheel‑to‑wheel clash with Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, started the Mexico City Grand Prix inside the top four and engaged in an early, intense battle with Max Verstappen. The pair clashed twice in the opening laps, with Hamilton running off track at Turn 4 and rejoining via the run‑off. Race control deemed he had “gained a lasting advantage” and handed a 10‑second penalty that ultimately cost him a podium chance. Hamilton crossed the line eighth.

Ferrari credit procedural gains for improved results

Hamilton insisted Ferrari’s on‑ and off‑track processes — from arrival routines to debriefs and engineering decisions — have tightened, allowing the team to extract more performance from an unchanged development package. He said he is adapting to the car’s characteristics and believes the near‑parity between his machine and Charles Leclerc’s has aided his learning curve.

Lewis Hamilton telemetry data justifies Mexican GP penalty

“Cars are pretty much identical” — Hamilton

Hamilton praised the collaborative work between teammates and the engineering group, saying small gains in procedure and decision‑making are translating to better weekend outcomes. Despite not finding dramatic aerodynamic or mechanical upgrades, the team’s consistency has improved race execution.

Leclerc: no single upgrade — incremental improvements everywhere

Charles Leclerc, who finished second in Mexico, echoed the view that there was no single “silver bullet” behind the result. He attributed the stronger pace to a collection of small improvements across the team and better management of prior weaknesses, particularly over bumpy sections of the circuit.

Championship picture tightens behind McLaren

McLaren’s Constructors’ Championship is already secured, but the scrap for the remaining podium places is wide open. Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull sit within a tight points margin with four race weekends remaining. Recent Red Bull gains, combined with scattered points from midfield drivers, have made the fight for the season podium unpredictable and likely to remain intensely contested.

Implications for the remaining rounds

With margins slim and procedural gains proving decisive, expect teams to prioritise consistency and race‑weekend execution. For bettors, the shifting balance suggests favouring drivers who deliver steady top‑five results over those prone to aggressive moves that attract steward scrutiny.

10 points separate the three teams fighting for third.

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