Overview
- The FIA stewards took no action over opening‑lap cuts by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc at Turns 1–3, even as Lewis Hamilton later received a 10‑second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage on Lap 7.
- Hamilton called the officiating "double standards," while Verstappen replied that his moves were within the regulations and in line with what stewards allow.
- Sky F1’s Martin Brundle said Verstappen "made no effort" to take the corner and suggested a drive‑through as a proper deterrent, adding that Leclerc also deserved a time penalty.
- Former driver Johnny Herbert denounced customary first‑lap leniency as a "free for all" and urged consistent, harsher penalties to curb what he considers rule‑abuse.
- Proposals to prevent repeat incidents include replacing the grass with gravel between Turns 1 and 3 or mandating a defined escape route with bollards, but no rule or circuit changes have been adopted.