Mekies says Leclerc penalty felt light to Red Bull

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty after the incident with Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico Grand Prix felt light. He said Red Bull was surprised both by how long it took to confirm the decision and by the fact that it was only five seconds.

Hamilton held the lead at the start while Leclerc attacked. Both ran off the track at Turn 4, and Leclerc took the lead through the grass. Mekies said Red Bull’s first reaction as a rival was that the incident should be penalised. By the time the penalty was issued, Leclerc was already more than five seconds ahead of Hamilton, he said.

Mekies said Red Bull had to accept the decision and that he was pleased with Verstappen’s win. He described Ferrari as strong in all conditions throughout the weekend, said Red Bull had been able to compete and praised Verstappen for keeping Hamilton and Leclerc behind him while they fought the Red Bull driver. Mekies said he could not say what would have happened if they had stayed in front.