A deeply unhappy Lewis Hamilton accused his team mate of costing Ferrari victory in today’s Mexican Grand Prix.
The Ferrari pair went off at turn four when Charles Leclerc tried to take the lead off Hamilton at the start of the race. Leclerc rejoined ahead of his team mate while Hamilton lost a position to Max Verstappen.The stewards later issued Leclerc a five-second time penalty, which dropped him behind Verstappen but not Hamilton. Although Hamilton managed to pass Leclerc at a later restart he was unable to pass the Red Bull driver and blamed his team mate for costing him the position.
He also suggested the stewards had told drivers to expect stronger penalties for leaving the track at turn four. They issued a statement clarifying the regulations prior to the race.
“In drivers’ briefing we discussed [that] as soon as you go off in turn one you have to give the position back,” said Hamilton. “Obviously last year I got a 10-second penalty for that same move that he did.
“But ultimately it was that that lost us the win today and I think we have to have some serious talks behind the scenes, for sure.”
However Hamilton, who finished less than a second behind Verstappen, said he was pleased with the performance from his car this weekend despite not using the team’s latest power unit.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
“The good thing is the team are working really hard. We’ve really improved our car,” he said. “It’s great to be here.
“We were on the old engine this weekend as well. So [it’s a] good result, good points, shame we didn’t get a win, but some you win, some you lose.”
Leclerc said he chose not to let Hamilton pass him because doing so would also cost him a position to Verstappen.
“The penalty was deserved in a way,” he said. “The thing is that it was a bit confusing because we both didn’t make turn four, then I stayed ahead and then Max got past Lewis. So then I asked what should I do and I kept the position and I took a deserved penalty.
In Leclerc’s view, it was better for Ferrari that he stayed ahead of Verstappen. He also suggested Hamilton squeezed him too much at the first corner.
“I’ll speak with Lewis,” he said. “I think we both didn’t make the corner [at turn four]. I don’t know if Lewis’s point was for me to get P3, but at least having a Red Bull second, I felt it was worth it to kind of keep the position and see what happens. That’s what I did.
“I could be also unhappy with how much he pushed me off the track out of turn one, but I think it’s racing. When you are fighting for a win, It’s the way it should be.”
Stewards explain Leclerc’s penalty for passing Hamilton when both went off
Penalty box
Did the stewards issue the correct penalty to Leclerc? Cast your vote below and have your say in the comments.
A RaceFans account is required in order to vote. If you do not have one, register an account here or read more about registering here. When this poll is closed the result will be displayed instead of the voting form.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and