- Lewis Hamilton has called for serious internal discussions at Ferrari after an opening-lap clash with Charles Leclerc at the Mexico City Grand Prix potentially cost the Scuderia its first victory of 2026.
- Leclerc received a five-second penalty for leaving the circuit and gaining an advantage, while Hamilton recovered to second after losing valuable ground to eventual race winner Max Verstappen.
- The incident has reignited concerns over Ferrari’s intra-team rivalry, with Hamilton stressing the importance of prioritising the team’s collective interests as it continues its resurgence towards the front of the grid.
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has called for serious discussions within Ferrari, following a contentious opening lap battle with teammate Charles Leclerc which potentially cost the Scuderia victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Having secured his maiden Grand Prix pole position for the Maranello outfit, Hamilton appeared well placed to challenge for his first victory in Ferrari colours, demonstrating impressive pace throughout the weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
However, those aspirations were swiftly compromised during a frenetic opening lap, with Leclerc challenging around the outside of Turn 1 before the Ferrari duo subsequently ran wide at Turn 4.
While Hamilton attempted to rejoin the circuit, Leclerc cut across the grass to emerge ahead, with the Briton’s loss of momentum allowing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to capitalise.
The Dutchman ultimately prevailed to claim victory, while Leclerc received a five-second penalty for leaving the circuit and gaining an advantage.
Despite recovering to second following a mid-race red flag, Hamilton was adamant that Ferrari had squandered an opportunity to secure a commanding one-two finish.
“I don’t really have anything to say about the scenario with Charles. I think you can see what happened and the reason we lost the win,” Hamilton remarked.
The Briton also questioned the consistency of the stewards’ decision, referencing a similar incident which saw him receive a harsher penalty during the previous campaign.
“Last year I got a 10-second penalty for that same move that he did.”
“Ultimately, it was that that lost us the win today. And I, yeah, I think we have to have some serious talks behind the scenes for sure.”
Ferrari’s intra-team tensions resurface
The Mexico City confrontation represents another chapter in an increasingly contentious relationship between Ferrari’s two drivers, who have already endured several close encounters throughout the 2026 campaign.
The pair engaged in an enthralling battle in China, while Leclerc subsequently apologised after forcing Hamilton off the circuit during the opening stages of the Italian Grand Prix.
Though the events in Mexico arguably carry greater significance, particularly given Ferrari’s recent resurgence and its pursuit of a maiden Grand Prix victory this season.
For Hamilton, the frustration extends beyond the personal disappointment of another missed opportunity, with the 41-year old emphasising the responsibility both drivers have towards the wider organisation.
“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,” he explained.
The Briton also stressed that internal competition cannot come at the expense of Ferrari’s collective ambitions, suggesting that the situation requires more than a routine post-race debrief.
“So, working as a team is a part of our job and a part of our contract.”
While Leclerc’s five-second penalty ultimately denied him the lead, Hamilton’s own race was compromised by the time lost during their opening lap exchange.
And with Verstappen demonstrating his customary ruthlessness in capitalising upon the Ferrari duo’s misfortune, the consequences were particularly costly.
Having endured a difficult introduction to the latest regulatory era, Ferrari has gradually emerged as a genuine contender for victories, making the missed opportunity in Mexico all the more frustrating.
For team principal Fred Vasseur, the challenge now is balancing the competitive instincts of two established Grand Prix winners against the necessity of maximising the team’s results.
Especially as Ferrari continues its pursuit of the championship’s leading outfits, where the margins between success and disappointment have become increasingly slender.
And while Hamilton has acknowledged that disagreements between teammates are inevitable, the events in Mexico have demonstrated that Ferrari can ill afford another internal confrontation when victory is within reach.
