Lewis Hamilton Criticises Charles Leclerc After Costly Ferrari Clash at Mexico Grand Prix

Posted : 02 November 2026

Lewis Hamilton has criticised Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc following their controversial opening-lap battle at the Mexico City Grand Prix, insisting that the incident cost the team a potential one-two finish.

The seven-time world champion started Sunday's race from pole position but lost control of the situation after Leclerc launched an aggressive challenge during the opening corners. Both Ferrari drivers ran wide at Turn Four, with Leclerc cutting across the track and rejoining ahead of Hamilton.

The incident allowed Red Bull's Max Verstappen to move between the two Ferraris and take second place. Leclerc subsequently received a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the circuit, but the damage to Ferrari's race strategy had already been done.

Hamilton eventually finished second behind Verstappen, while Leclerc crossed the line in fourth. The British driver believes Ferrari had the pace to secure both top positions but lost that opportunity because the teammates failed to work together.

Speaking after the race, Hamilton expressed his frustration with Leclerc's approach, arguing that competing against a teammate should not come at the expense of the team's overall result.

He explained that Ferrari had not discussed how the drivers should approach the opening corners before the race. Hamilton added that the incident had cost the team valuable points and affected everyone working behind the scenes.

The Ferrari driver also called for serious discussions away from the public spotlight, suggesting that clearer expectations were needed to prevent similar situations in future races.

Leclerc offered a different perspective on the incident, explaining that he had spotted an opportunity to overtake and decided to make his move. He acknowledged that both drivers had braked late and failed to negotiate the corner properly.

The Monegasque admitted that he initially considered returning the position to Hamilton but became uncertain after Verstappen moved ahead of the Briton. He said communication with the team during the race was unclear, influencing his decision to maintain his position.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also expressed disappointment, agreeing that the team had missed an opportunity to secure a victory and a one-two finish. He emphasised that both drivers had responsibilities beyond their individual ambitions, particularly towards the wider Ferrari organisation and its workforce.

Vasseur said he intended to speak with both drivers before deciding how the team would address the situation.

The incident has created fresh tension within Ferrari as Hamilton and Leclerc attempt to balance their individual championship ambitions with the team's objectives. With the season approaching its closing stages, resolving the disagreement will be important to maintaining cooperation between the two drivers.

Lewis Hamilton Criticises Charles Leclerc After Costly Ferrari Clash at Mexico Grand Prix

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