Lewis Hamilton has declared Ferrari need ‘serious talks’ behind the scenes after claiming the team had ‘big problems’ following a first lap incident with team-mate Charles Leclerc at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Hamilton had sat on pole in Mexico but battled with Leclerc on the first four corners of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Leclerc would ultimately seize the lead from Hamilton by running across the grass at turn four, while Hamilton was also passed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen following his team-mate’s attack.
Leclerc was then hit with a five second penalty for his actions, enabling Verstappen to seize the lead in the Grand Prix.
A furious Hamilton was heard saying ‘We’ve got big problems, big, big problems’ over his team radio during a red-flag period in the race caused by a crash for Valtteri Bottas‘ Cadillac.
Hamilton passed Leclerc to claim second following the restart of the race, but ultimately was forced to settle for second place behind Verstappen.
A furious Lewis Hamilton insisted Ferrari needed to have ‘serious talks’ after the Mexican Grand Prix
Hamilton was angered by a move from Charles Leclerc on the fourth corner of the race, which he believes cost Ferrari the race
The British star claimed following the race that ‘serious talks’ were needed as he insisted Leclerc’s actions had cost Ferrari victory in Mexico.
‘We have to have some serious talks behind the scenes for sure,’ Hamilton said, who had complained on team radio that Leclerc had only received a five-second penalty.
‘I think the core thing to remember, which maybe comes with age, is that every decision you make in the car impacts all the people that work in the background for the whole team.
‘Working as a team is a part of our job and a part of our contract. We could have easily done that today.
‘This will just continue unless action is taken, unless a real deep, serious conversation is had. So, it shouldn’t happen moving forward.
‘Of course, the frustrations… today I’m happy because this guy [Kimi Antonelli] just won the championship and on the other side, I’m really p***ed.’
The seven-time world champion renewed his call for ‘rules of engagement’ with his Ferrari team-mate, having previously come together with Leclerc at the Italian Grand Prix.
Hamilton questioned Leclerc’s move as being a ‘mentality thing’ and insisted that ‘something needs to change’.
‘When your team-mate works against you and then you lose positions like that, it’s definitely tough,’ Hamilton said.
Hamilton questioned the mentality of his Ferrari team-mate following the first lap incident
Leclerc claimed he considred giving position back to Hamilton, but the British star had already been passed by Max Verstappen
‘We don’t have rules of engagement, and whether or not that will change anything from Charles’ side, I don’t know. Something needs to change for sure.
‘Before I joined this team, when I was at Mercedes, I watched the back and forth between Charles and Carlos (Sainz), where they were battling so much that the person ahead just pulled away.
‘But it is one thing when that’s happening in fourth and fifth, as opposed to first and second, and you lose the win. That’s significant.
‘The guy (Leclerc) is 28 years old, so I don’t think it’s an age thing. I think it’s a mentality thing. It’s like, “Do or die. Either I win or none of us do”, and it shouldn’t be that.
‘It should be us getting that one-two. You know, Silverstone, I could have gone all kamikaze on him and taken him off and lost us the win.’
When asked about Hamilton’s comments, Leclerc insisted he had considered giving the position back to his team-mate, but the British driver had already been passed by Verstappen.
‘I’m sure Lewis definitely hated those first few laps and we’ll discuss,’ Leclerc said.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur admitted his frustration at how the race had played out for the team, adding he would need to speak to both of his drivers following their comments.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur admitted he would need to speak to both of his drivers following their comments
‘I think it’s just a matter of respect,’ Vasseur told Sky Sports.
‘The respect for the brand, for the sponsors, for the team, for the 2,000 people working at home like hell. Honestly, it’s difficult to digest for me to give up a win like this.
‘The comments of Lewis I will discuss with Lewis and the comments of Charles I will discuss with Charles.’
Verstappen’s victory in Mexico saw him move above Hamilton into second place in the drivers’ championship.
Mercedes star Antonelli became Formula One’s youngest world champion on Sunday after finishing third.
