Hamilton agrees Leclerc races him harder than rival drivers after Mexico clash

Lewis Hamilton agreed that Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc races him harder than drivers from other teams following their Mexico City Grand Prix clash. Motorsport Week reports that Hamilton believed the incident cost Ferrari a potential one-two finish.

Both Ferrari drivers went off at Turn 4. Leclerc received a five-second penalty for gaining a lasting advantage after cutting the track, with mitigation reducing the punishment from 10 seconds.

Max Verstappen won the race, with the Ferrari drivers finishing second and fourth. Several outlets report that Hamilton and Leclerc clashed on the opening lap.

Hamilton contrasted Leclerc’s approach with his start in Singapore. “[In] Singapore, he was fully alongside, wheel-to-wheel, fully on the inside for the lead at Turn 1, Singapore, and he backed off,” the Ferrari driver said.

“But I mean, if you look at the team-mates, it was the same with Sebastian [Vettel]. It was the same with Carlos [Sainz],” Hamilton said.

“Well we haven’t had the time really to speak much in depth. We have spoken and I fully understand my responsibility to the team,” Hamilton said.

“So, conversations need to be had. We will have those when the time permits,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton also rejected the suggestion that his race comments were calculated, saying he had no time to consider media reaction while driving. He said Ferrari had not asked him to stop speaking and that he would not apologise for being authentic.

Motorsport.com reports that Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur briefly spoke to both drivers separately because he felt the Mexico events showed a lack of respect towards the team’s 2,000 staff.