Hamilton Calls for Internal Ferrari Review After Mexico City Grand Prix Conflict

OPA WIRE, Nov 2 (OPA) — Lewis Hamilton stated that Ferrari must hold serious internal discussions after a tactical dispute between him and teammate Charles Leclerc compromised their performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The friction began on the opening lap when Leclerc cut a chicane to overtake Hamilton, a maneuver that ultimately allowed Max Verstappen to seize the lead and eventual victory. Hamilton finished second, with Kimi Antonelli securing third place to become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.

"Ultimately, that lost us the win today," Hamilton said. "We have to have some serious talks behind closed doors." During a red-flag period triggered by a crash involving Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton expressed frustration over team radio, citing significant operational problems. Leclerc defended his actions, noting that both drivers missed the corner and that he prioritized maintaining his position against the Red Bull entry. "I could be also unhappy with how much he pushed me off track out of Turn One, but it is racing," Leclerc said.

This incident marks the latest in a series of tensions between the two Ferrari drivers throughout the 2026 season. Previous friction points include the Italian Grand Prix, where Leclerc pushed Hamilton off the track at the first corner, and earlier instances in Singapore and other races where team orders regarding strategy and positioning were ignored or disputed. Ferrari’s inability to coordinate their drivers has been a recurring theme, often allowing competitors to capitalize on their internal battles.

Max Verstappen acknowledged that Ferrari’s internal rivalry directly aided his race strategy. "Ferrari were really fast, I do think they made it a little bit difficult for themselves fighting each other and that's why I was able to capitalise on that," Verstappen said. As the season progresses, the team faces mounting pressure to establish clear protocols to prevent further points losses, as the current lack of cohesion continues to impact their standing in the constructors' and drivers' championships.