Lewis Hamilton backs claims Charles Leclerc races him harder than rival F1 drivers. After a lap-one collision in Mexico, Hamilton demanded talks to clarify Ferrari's rules of engagement, warning of "big problems" for the team. Hamilton and Leclerc went off at Turn 4, handing Max Verstappen the win and costing Ferrari a potential 1-2 finish.
Leclerc received a five-second penalty, later mitigated from 10 seconds, for gaining a lasting advantage. Hamilton, incensed by the hard racing on the opening lap, insisted the Monegasque permanently stayed ahead by cutting the track. The seven-time champion noted this behavior mirrors his past experiences with teammates Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.
Hamilton also criticized Leclerc's five-second penalty as insufficient, stating he "will not be silenced" regarding team dynamics. With Fred Vasseur having traveled to Europe and Leclerc with his newborn daughter, Hamilton welcomes further discussions in Sao Paulo. He emphasized the team's incredible work and upgrades, noting they scored more points than any other team recently but could have easily secured a one-two victory.
Hamilton maintained he speaks from instinct, not calculation, during the heat of racing.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing