Hamilton criticises Leclerc: internal tension at Ferrari

Starting from pole position at the Mexican Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton criticised his team-mate after a collision with Charles Leclerc on the opening lap. When both Ferrari drivers went off track at Turn 4, the team's hopes of finishing first and second evaporated. Leclerc kept his position at the front while Max Verstappen seized the opening and slipped between the two Ferraris.

Verstappen won the race. Hamilton finished behind Verstappen. Leclerc finished fourth after a five-second penalty for cutting the track.

Hamilton said the car was capable of finishing first and second. However, he said that opportunity disappeared after the first two corners, and the position was then left to Verstappen. He said there was no clear rule on what should be done and that he did not know whether anything would change on Leclerc's side. Hamilton said his team-mate had been working against him and that it was hard to lose positions because of this. He added that responsibility did not lie with only the two drivers but with the whole team.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur shared the same frustration. He avoided commenting in detail on the incident, saying he would speak with both drivers first and resolve the issue tomorrow. Leclerc accepted that he had left the track and expected a penalty, but said Verstappen's move between the two Ferraris made the situation more difficult.