Lewis Hamilton Warns Ferrari of Big Problems After Mexico Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has declared Ferrari have big problems after team in-fighting at the Mexico Grand Prix cost the team a potential race victory. The seven-time world champion started the race on pole position but dropped down the order during a chaotic opening lap that saw his teammate make an aggressive move.
Hamilton, 41, fell to second place after an early battle with Charles Leclerc. During this opening sequence, the Monegasque driver cut a chicane on the first lap to take the lead from the British driver. Max Verstappen then capitalized on the ensuing chaos to overtake Hamilton, dropping the Ferrari driver down to third place early in the Grand Prix.
How the Mexico Grand Prix Unfolded
Verstappen went on to win the race after navigating the chaotic opening laps and subsequent incidents. Hamilton crossed the finish line close behind in second place, while Kimi Antonelli finished in third to be crowned the youngest-ever Formula One world champion. However, the post-race atmosphere within the garage was dominated by frustration over missed opportunities.
During a red flag period caused by a scary high-speed crash involving Valtteri Bottas and his Cadillac, Hamilton barked over the team radio expressing his deep concern. He stated that the team had big problems.
Speaking to reporters after the race, Hamilton elaborated on his radio message. He said that the early incident ultimately lost them the win and that the team must have some serious talks behind closed doors.
Hamilton added that the team could have easily secured a one-two finish given their pace. He explained that they went into Turn Four holding the top two positions and that holding position would have kept them in control of the race. When a teammate works against you and causes you to lose positions, Hamilton noted, the situation becomes very tough.
The Root of the Tension Between Hamilton and Leclerc
The incident highlights a lack of internal boundaries within the team structure. Hamilton pointed out that they do not have rules of engagement, and he admitted uncertainty over whether such rules would change Leclerc's approach. Something needs to change for sure, according to the veteran driver.
When informed about Hamilton's public displeasure, Leclerc offered his perspective on the opening lap skirmish. Leclerc, who received a five-second penalty for going off the track during the incident, stated that he intended to speak with Lewis privately.
Leclerc defended his driving by noting that both drivers missed the corner. He felt that keeping the position against the Red Bull was worth the risk to see how the race would unfold. Leclerc also mentioned that he could have been unhappy with how much Hamilton pushed him off the track out of Turn One, but emphasized that this is normal racing when fighting for a win.
Hamilton rejected the idea that age or inexperience played a role in the collision. Pointing out that Leclerc is 28 years old, Hamilton described the driving style as a mentality issue driven by a do or die attitude where winning takes precedence over team success.
Ferrari Management Reacts to Internal Friction
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the internal clash and admitted it left him feeling very frustrated. Vasseur noted that his personal frustration is secondary to the impact on the wider organization.
Vasseur stated that the situation brings a lot of frustration for the two thousand people working on the project, adding that he will need time to digest the events. The team leadership now faces the challenge of managing two competitive drivers as the season progresses.
This event is not an isolated occurrence between the two teammates. Tensions have flared multiple times throughout the current season.
Earlier friction points include Leclerc pushing Hamilton off the track at the Italian Grand Prix. At the Dutch Grand Prix, Leclerc ignored team orders while the two cars ran on different race strategies. In Singapore, Hamilton felt the team should have ordered Leclerc to let him pass when they were on contrasting tyre compounds, but no call was made.
Rivals Capitalize on Ferrari Strategy Struggles
Race winner Verstappen weighed in on the Scuderia internal dynamics after taking the checkered flag. The Red Bull driver observed that while Ferrari possessed great speed, they made things difficult for themselves by battling each other on the track.
Verstappen acknowledged that this internal friction allowed him to capitalize and secure the victory. He accepted the outcome given the circumstances presented by his rivals.
Ferrari now faces a critical period of internal evaluation. The team must address how their drivers interact on track before the remaining races of the calendar year bring further missed opportunities.
