Ferrari left Mexico with second and fourth places, but the result brought frustration rather than satisfaction. Lewis Hamilton believes the team had the pace for a one-two finish and that his opening-lap battle with Charles Leclerc created the opportunity for Max Verstappen to win.

A costly opening lap

Hamilton started from pole and Leclerc moved into second. The pair continued to fight for the lead and both ran off the circuit at Turn 4. Leclerc crossed the grass and emerged ahead, while Hamilton lost momentum and was passed by Verstappen.

The stewards gave Leclerc a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. When he served it during his pit stop, Verstappen took the lead. Hamilton eventually finished second, with Leclerc fourth after a difficult restart.

Hamilton calls for a discussion

After the race, Hamilton argued that Ferrari needed serious conversations behind closed doors. He emphasised that decisions taken in the cockpit affect everyone working for the team and that cooperation is part of a driver’s responsibility.

His disappointment reflected the opportunity he believed Ferrari had missed. The team had put two cars at the front in the opening corners, but its own fight allowed Red Bull to break up that advantage.

Leclerc explains his decision

Leclerc accepted that his penalty was deserved, while pointing to the confusion surrounding whether he should return the position. Verstappen’s presence between the Ferraris complicated the situation: handing the place back would have involved more than simply swapping with Hamilton.

The Monegasque also defended his right to race for victory and noted that both Ferrari drivers had missed the corner. Their different interpretations show why the incident requires an internal discussion.

Vasseur puts respect first

Team principal Fred Vasseur made his frustration clear, stressing that the drivers represent the efforts of around 2,000 people. He placed respect for that collective work at the centre of the issue.

Vasseur acknowledged the difficulty of clarifying events quickly but said the drivers had been told to return positions themselves in such circumstances. Before Brazil, Ferrari must find a way to turn its improved speed into victories while preventing internal battles from compromising the team’s result.

Sources: Formula1.com: Hamilton · Leclerc · Vasseur