Get ready for some serious drama at the 2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix, because four drivers are set to start the race with grid penalties, and it’s going to shake up the competition! After a thrilling kickoff to Season 12 in São Paulo, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship heads to Mexico City this weekend, but not without some lingering consequences from the opening round. Here’s the lowdown on who’s been penalized and why—plus, we’ll dive into the details that have fans buzzing. But here’s where it gets controversial: Are these penalties fair, or are they too harsh for the infractions? Let’s break it down.
Pepe Martí: Starting from the Back
Reason: Causing a collision
Penalty: Start from the back of the grid
Pepe Martí found himself in hot water after a collision with Antonio Felix da Costa and Nico Müller at Turn 6-7 in São Paulo. When Race Control deployed the Full Course Yellow (FCY), da Costa and Müller followed protocol by slowing down and adjusting their lines to avoid contact. Martí, however, arrived at the scene too quickly and couldn’t react in time, resulting in a crash. The Stewards deemed this a worst-case scenario for safety, slapping Martí with a severe penalty. And this is the part most people miss: While safety is paramount, some argue that starting from the back is overly punitive for a driver’s first major mistake. What do you think—fair call or too harsh?
Lucas di Grassi: A 5-Position Drop
Reason: Causing a collision
Penalty: Drop of 5 grid positions
Lucas di Grassi’s penalty stems from a collision with Edoardo Mortara at Turn 5-6, where he pushed Mortara into the wall, forcing car 48 into retirement. Di Grassi’s aggressive move earned him a 5-position drop and 2 penalty points, bringing his total to 6. Controversial question: Should Formula E introduce a stricter system to penalize repeat offenders, or is the current structure sufficient?
Felipe Drugovich: Overtaking Under FCY
Reason: Overtaking under FCY
Penalty: 3-place grid drop
Felipe Drugovich’s penalty comes from overtaking Pascal Wehrlein and Nick Cassidy during a FCY period. His 5-second time penalty was converted into a 3-place grid drop for Mexico City. While overtaking under FCY is a clear violation, some fans argue that the penalty could have been a time penalty instead. What’s your take: Is a grid drop the right call, or should time penalties be the go-to for such infractions?
Jean-Eric Vergne: Overspeeding Under FCY
Reason: Overspeeding under FCY
Penalty: 3-place grid drop
Jean-Eric Vergne’s penalty is for exceeding the FCY speed limit between Turns 6 and 7. Like Drugovich, his 5-second time penalty was converted into a grid drop. Overspeeding under FCY is a serious safety concern, but here’s a thought: Should drivers be given more leeway in FCY situations, or is the current system the best way to ensure safety?
What’s Next?
With these penalties in place, the 2026 Mexico City E-Prix is shaping up to be a race full of surprises. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has been a fan favorite since Season 2, and this year promises even more excitement. Tune in on 10 January 2026 to see how these grid drops impact the race. Don’t miss out: Catch all the action live or stream it on your favorite platform. And while you’re at it, check out the brand-new season of Driver on Amazon Prime for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the lives of these drivers.
Final Thought: Grid penalties are a crucial part of maintaining fairness and safety in Formula E, but they also spark debates about consistency and severity. What’s your stance on these penalties? Do they hit the right balance, or is there room for improvement? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your thoughts!
