Lewis Hamilton, after his controversial encounter with Charles Leclerc during the last Formula 1 race in Mexico, has expressed the need for clearer dialogues within the Ferrari team. The seven-time world champion believes that Leclerc competes more intensely with him than with other drivers on the grid.
The conflict occurred on the first lap of the race, where both drivers went off track at Turn 4, allowing Max Verstappen to gain a privileged position. As a result, Ferrari lost an opportunity for a double victory, ultimately finishing with Leclerc in second place and Hamilton in fourth.
Hamilton expressed frustration over Leclerc’s behavior in the early stages of the race, highlighting that the Monegasque driver gained a lasting advantage after cutting the corner, for which he only received a five-second penalty. This incident has intensified speculation about the intensity with which Leclerc competes against his teammate compared to other rivals.
Regarding his experience during the race, Hamilton stated: ‘Yes, I saw the same as you. In Singapore, he was completely inside the first corner, took the lead and retired. That was very different behavior.’ This contrasts with his performance in the United States race, where he took more risks in his battle with Verstappen.
Hamilton made an urgent call for more discussions on Ferrari’s competition protocols, warning of potential ‘big problems’ if the situation is not clarified. The team principal, Fred Vasseur, has briefly addressed both drivers to ensure that respect for the team’s staff, made up of 200 people, is maintained.
After the race, Hamilton stated that he remains frustrated and that more dialogues are needed to ensure that mistakes are minimized in the future. ‘The team has done an incredible job with the improvements this season, and it’s disappointing not to have capitalized on this opportunity,’ he said.
Despite the criticisms arising regarding his statements about the penalty imposed on Leclerc, Hamilton stands firm in his position. ‘I don’t feel the need to silence myself. I always say what I feel in the moment. I don’t regret being authentic,’ he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
