Lewis Hamilton emphasizes that Ferrari must engage in further discussions to clarify their engagement rules, supporting the notion that Charles Leclerc competes against him more aggressively than drivers from other teams.
During the opening lap of last weekend’s race in Mexico, Hamilton and Leclerc collided, leading both drivers to veer off the track at Turn 4. This incident significantly benefitted Max Verstappen, allowing him to seize the victory while costing Ferrari what could have been a 1-2 finish, resulting instead in the duo placing second and fourth.
Hamilton expressed his frustration regarding Leclerc’s aggressive driving on the initial lap, particularly as the Monegasque maintained his position after cutting the track at Turn 4. Leclerc was handed a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage, reduced from an initial 10 seconds due to mitigating factors.
The confrontation in Mexico has fueled speculation that Leclerc races his teammate more fiercely than others, especially following the Singapore Grand Prix, where Leclerc conceded the lead at the start despite being positioned fully inside of polesitter Max Verstappen. However, he did race hard against the Dutchman in the following US Grand Prix in Austin, successfully overtaking the Red Bull driver around the outside in COTA’s Esses.
When Hamilton was asked if he has observed that Leclerc competes against him more intensely than against others, the seven-time world champion replied, “Yes. I observe what you see. In Singapore, he was entirely on the inside at Turn 1, claimed the lead, and then backed off. It was certainly a different situation.
“However, if you consider the teammates, it was similar with Sebastian [Vettel] and also with Carlos [Sainz].
Photo by: Colin McMaster / LAT Images via Getty Images
Amid rising tensions, Hamilton insisted on having discussions to define the team’s engagement protocols, highlighting potential “serious issues” for the team. Autosport has learned that team principal Fred Vasseur engaged in brief, separate discussions with both drivers, sensing that the incidents in Mexico exhibited a lack of respect towards the team’s extensive staff of 2000 individuals.
However, with Vasseur having returned to Europe between events and Leclerc spending quality time with his family after the arrival of his daughter, Hamilton indicates that increased dialogue is necessary. “Of course, I was frustrated, and I remain frustrated,” Hamilton noted when prompted by Autosport if his perspective on the Mexico events has shifted after some time. “Conversations are essential. We will have them when the opportunity arises.
“We had a chance to secure a win for the team. The squad has performed exceptionally well in introducing upgrades this year and I believe they have done an outstanding job. We have accumulated more points than any other team in the last three or four races. A one-two finish was within our grasp, so we certainly need to work on ensuring that it doesn’t happen again.”
Hamilton also faced scrutiny for suggesting that his teammate deserved a more severe penalty than the five seconds he served at his pit stop, arguing that track cutting afforded Leclerc a significantly larger advantage on a circuit where overtaking was notably challenging. Nonetheless, the 41-year-old affirmed that he “will not be silenced.” “I don’t particularly concern myself with how others perceive what I’ve articulated. I express my genuine feelings as they arise,” he articulated.
“I noticed someone commenting that my remarks are calculated, so I want to counter that by stating that in the heat of the race, your heart rate can skyrocket to 170. You’re moving at 200 miles per hour. There’s no room for calculated thoughts or considerations about how the media will respond; that’s not what you think about.
“Certainly, there are occasions when you express things that you might later regret, but I don’t, and I refuse to apologize for being true to myself. I won’t be silenced. I have never been silenced. The team has never instructed me not to speak out, and that’s simply the reality.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
