Hamilton stands firm after Mexico clash with Ferrari teammate Leclerc

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 6 Nov, 02:46 · Archive

Lewis Hamilton refused to apologise for criticising Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc after their collision at the Mexico Grand Prix cost the team victory.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc collided at Turn 4 on the opening lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix last Sunday. Leclerc attempted to overtake Hamilton, went off track, and his defensive move left him vulnerable to Max Verstappen, who went on to win the race and cost Ferrari a potential one-two finish.

After the race, Hamilton called for 'serious talks' within Ferrari and blamed Leclerc for the incident. He questioned his teammate's mentality, saying: 'The guy is 28 years old, so I don't think it's an age thing. I think it's a mentality thing. It's like do or die. Either I win or none of us do.' Hamilton also claimed that Leclerc races him harder than other drivers on the grid, comparing the Mexico incident to Leclerc's aggressive first-corner battle with Max Verstappen at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Hamilton and Leclerc held discussions with Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur ahead of this weekend's São Paulo Grand Prix, though the contents were not revealed. Ferrari does not have formal rules of engagement between its drivers.

Speaking before the São Paulo race, Hamilton refused to apologise for his remarks. 'I don't really care what everyone thinks about what I said, I wear my heart on my sleeve and I say how I feel in the moment,' he said. 'I'm never going to apologise for being authentic and real and I'm not going to be silenced.'

Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins suggested that Ferrari should introduce formal repercussions for drivers who breach agreements, rather than rely on gentlemen's agreements. She said: 'I think we've seen that a little bit with McLaren where they had this sort of rules of engagement.' However, Hamilton noted that his relationship with Leclerc off track has remained friendly during their first two years as teammates, despite racing flashpoints this season.

How it is being reported

• Lewis Hamilton will not apologize for remarks after clash with teammate Charles LeclercThe seven-time world champion said he remained frustrated after the opening-lap incident, and that more discussions were needed within Ferrari.The Japan Times · 6 Nov, 02:19
• Explained: What is the fallout at Ferrari after Mexico race start controversy?Craig Slater outlines what's been the aftermath at Ferrari after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc's controversial opening lap incident at Mexico City.Sky Sports · 5 Nov, 21:34
• Hamilton: Leclerc more aggressive racing me than other driversLewis Hamilton believes Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc races him harder than other drivers on the Formula 1 grid.Sky Sports · 5 Nov, 20:54
• Lewis Hamilton refuses to back down over criticism of teammate LeclercFerrari teammates clashed at Mexico Grand Prix Hamilton: ‘I’ve worked hard to build a relationship with Charles’ Lewis Hamilton vowed not to be silenced last night as he refused to back down over his criticism of his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc after a flashpoint between the pair at last weekend’s Mexico Grand Prix. Leclerc and Hamilton were competing with one another at turn four on the opening lap of the race in Mexico last Sunday, with Leclerc attempting to pass his teammate. He went off in doing so and Hamilton’s defence left him vulnerable to being passed by Max Verstappen who went…The Guardian · 5 Nov, 20:38
• Do Ferrari need to impose repercussions after latest Hamilton-Leclerc clash?Sky Sports F1's Bernie Collins has suggested Ferrari should introduce repercussions rule to the team after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc's contentious incident in Mexico.Sky Sports · 4 Nov, 12:30

In this story: Lewis Hamilton · Charles Leclerc · Max Verstappen · Ferrari · Frederic Vasseur · Mexico City Grand Prix · São Paulo Grand Prix

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