Lewis Hamilton has called for "serious talks behind closed doors" at Ferrari after a first-lap clash with teammate Charles Leclerc cost the team a potential victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Leclerc cut the chicane at Turn 1 to take the lead from Hamilton, who then lost second place to Max Verstappen as a result. Verstappen went on to win the race, with Hamilton finishing second and Kimi Antonelli third to become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.
Hamilton: 'We've got big problems'
During a red-flag period caused by Valtteri Bottas' crash, Hamilton told his team over the radio: "We've got big problems. Big, big problems." After the race, he said the incident ultimately lost Ferrari the win. "We could have easily had a one-two today. We had the pace to do so," Hamilton said. "If we just held position, I think anything can happen in the race. But when your team-mate works against you and then you lose positions like that, it's definitely tough."
Leclerc defends aggressive move
Leclerc acknowledged he would speak with Hamilton but defended his decision to stay ahead after running off track. "I don't know if Lewis' point was for me to get P3 but having the Red Bull second I felt it was worth it to keep the position and see what happened," Leclerc said. He received a five-second penalty for the overtake but could not build a large enough gap to retain the lead after his pit stop.
Vasseur frustrated, Antonelli makes history
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said he was "frustrated" and would discuss the matter with the drivers. "It's a lot of frustration for the 2,000 people working for the project," he said. Meanwhile, Antonelli's third place secured the drivers' title, making him the youngest champion in F1 history. Verstappen, who capitalized on the Ferrari infighting, said: "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."
Pattern of tension between Hamilton and Leclerc
The Mexico clash is the latest in a series of on-track tensions between the Ferrari drivers this season, including incidents at the Italian Grand Prix and in Singapore. Hamilton suggested the issue is a mentality problem: "The guy's 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." He warned the situation "will continue unless action is taken."
