Hamilton says Leclerc races him harder and calls for Ferrari talks

Lewis Hamilton said Charles Leclerc races him harder than other drivers and called for further Ferrari talks after their Mexico City Grand Prix clash.

Crash.net reports that Leclerc overtook Hamilton by cutting a chicane at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Leclerc received a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage off the track, reduced from 10 seconds because of mitigation.

Ferrari finished second and fourth, with Leclerc fourth. Hamilton dropped behind Max Verstappen, who won for Red Bull Racing.

Hamilton contrasted Leclerc's racing in Mexico with his approach in Singapore. “In Singapore, he was fully on the inside into Turn 1, he had won the lead, and he backed off. It was definitely different,” the Ferrari driver 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.

“We had an opportunity to win for the team. The team has done such an amazing job in bringing upgrades this year and I think they've done an incredible job. We've scored more points than any other team in the last three or four races. We could have easily had a one-two, so we definitely have to work towards making sure that doesn't happen again,” Hamilton said.

Motorsport.com reports that Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur spoke briefly and separately to both drivers, believing the events showed a lack of respect for the team's 2,000 staff.

Hamilton also rejected suggestions that his comments during the race were calculated, saying drivers do not have time to consider media reaction while racing.

“Of course, there's some times you say things and maybe you might regret it afterwards, but I don't, and I'm never going to apologise for being authentic and real. I'm not going be silenced. I've never ever been silenced. I have not been asked to not say anything [by the team], and that's just the way it is,” Hamilton said.