Lewis Hamilton lashed out at Charles Leclerc over a lap‑one incident that likely cost Ferrari victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix, calling it "a mentality thing" and questioning his team‑mate's approach when battling for race wins. The duel began at the first four corners of Sunday’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, where Leclerc cut across the second chicane to seize the lead from pole‑sitter Hamilton. Hamilton, who also ran wide defending his position, was then overtaken on the exit of Turn Five by Max Verstappen.
Leclerc later received a 5‑second penalty for running off track and gaining an advantage at Turn Four, which handed Verstappen the lead after Ferrari served the sanction at his pit stop. Verstappen went on to win, while Hamilton finished second after passing Leclerc at the second restart following a red‑flag period for Valtteri Bottas’ high‑speed crash. A frustrated Hamilton, who had voiced displeasure over the leniency of the penalty, said the team needed "serious talks behind the scenes" and noted the contrast with earlier battles between Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Mercedes days.
At 28, he believes the issue is a "do or die" mindset rather than age. He hopes for improved teamwork, recalling a near‑collision at Silverstone where he could have taken Leclerc out but chose not to, preserving a first‑and‑third finish for the team.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing