Ferrari, Hamilton calls for talks with Leclerc after Mexico City

Tension at Ferrari leads straight into the weekend of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton explained that he and Charles Leclerc have not yet discussed the Mexico City duel, and that the face to face meeting will have to come this weekend. The issue arose on the final lap of the Mexican GP, when the two drivers found themselves battling at the front and the chance of a big result for the team faded away over the course of the first lap.

Hamilton started from pole position and finished second in Mexico City, but believes the team missed the chance of a double finish when he and Leclerc went wheel to wheel at the start. The Monegasque driver was penalised for going off track, while the Brit dropped behind Max Verstappen and was no longer able to recover the position. Speaking on the eve of the weekend, Hamilton said the matter has not yet been addressed because Leclerc had gone home for the birth of his first child and team principal Fred Vasseur had returned to Europe, to the factory.

The seven-time world champion, however, wanted to defend the general atmosphere in the pits, explaining that the group’s energy is high and that the team has scored more points than anyone else in the last races. For Hamilton, the internal battle in Mexico City was a problem to be dealt with now, in a season that is already over for the title, but also a useful step to lay firmer foundations for the future. The Brit stressed that, if Ferrari wants to aim for the World Championship in 2027, clearer rules of engagement will be needed.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Hamilton also responded to those who criticised him for asking for a harsher sanction for Leclerc over the radio after cutting corner 5. The Brit reiterated that he is still frustrated by what happened and said he will speak to his team-mate when there is time to do so. The conversation with Vasseur and Leclerc, which the team principal had said was necessary after the race, therefore remains on hold on the eve of Sao Paulo.

The atmosphere in the pits

The picture is that of a Ferrari arriving at the weekend with unfinished business between its drivers, but also with the determination not to let the Mexico City episode become a deeper rift. Hamilton is not hiding his frustration at the missed result, but at the same time insists that the team’s work in the last races has been very good. The priority now is to talk and establish a common approach for battles on track.

The confrontation, however, has not yet taken place. Leclerc was absent on Thursday at the circuit because he had returned home for the birth of his daughter Bianca, while Vasseur had also returned to Europe. For this reason, the clarification has been put off until the Sao Paulo weekend, where Ferrari will have to handle an already very delicate internal situation before even going out on track.