Lewis Hamilton demanded "serious talks" at Ferrari following a first-lap clash with teammate Charles Leclerc at the Mexico Grand Prix, which he believes cost the team the victory. Hamilton, starting on pole, held off Leclerc initially but lost the lead after Leclerc reclaimed position and Verstappen passed him. Leclerc received a five-second penalty for the incident, while Hamilton finished second, eight tenths off the win.
Hamilton criticized Leclerc's defense, stating the stewards were "handing Charles this win." He argued Leclerc had clean air and should have yielded the position. By parc ferme, Hamilton had cooled slightly but remained frustrated, noting he was penalized last year for a similar move. He acknowledged the team's improved pace but highlighted the performance gap to Red Bull, expressing hope for a competitive engine next season to challenge for wins.
Hamilton also praised rookie Kimi Antonelli's world championship feat, stating he will seek to challenge Mercedes' successor in 2027.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing