Lewis Hamilton has called for “serious talks” at Ferrari after a clash with team-mate Charles Leclerc during the Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix. Hamilton started from pole, while Leclerc launched his challenge from third after George Russell lost momentum before Turn 1.
Hamilton initially held off the Ferrari in the opening sequence, but Leclerc attacked around the outside at Turn 4. Both cars ran off the track, with Leclerc cutting Turn 5 and keeping the lead. Hamilton lost momentum and was passed by Max Verstappen.
Leclerc later received a five-second penalty for the opening-lap incident. Although he built a five-second advantage over Verstappen before the first pitstop, he spent 6.3 seconds longer in the pitlane and surrendered the lead. After a red flag caused by Valtteri Bottas’ crash, Leclerc also flat-spotted his tyres at the second start.
Hamilton could not regain the position from Verstappen and finished second, just eight tenths of a second from victory. During the race, he questioned Ferrari’s handling of the incident over team radio, arguing that Leclerc should have returned the position because he had gained an advantage by running off track.
Hamilton was calmer in parc ferme but maintained that Ferrari’s approach had cost the team the win. He said the drivers had discussed in their briefing that a position should be returned after going off at Turn 1, and compared the situation with a 10-second penalty he received for a similar move against Verstappen in 2025.
“Ultimately, it was that that lost us the win today,” Hamilton said. “I think we have to have some serious talks behind the scenes, for sure.”
The Ferrari driver also praised Kimi Antonelli’s achievement as Formula 1’s youngest-ever world champion and said he hoped to challenge his former Mercedes successor in 2027. Hamilton added that Ferrari had been using its older engine in Mexico and said the team needed to improve its straight-line performance to compete more effectively.
Sources: Autosport.