Hamilton calls for Ferrari change after Leclerc’s Mexico move

Lewis Hamilton says “something needs to change for sure” at Ferrari after blaming Charles Leclerc’s Turn 4 move for costing the team a chance of a one-two finish in the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Hamilton said he was angry and believed Ferrari had the pace to finish first and second. He acknowledged that anything could have happened even if the pair had held position, but said losing places “when your teammate works against you” was difficult.

Starting from pole and third respectively, Hamilton and Leclerc approached Turn 4 first and second. Leclerc attempted to pass around the outside, but crossed the grass after abandoning the move. Hamilton also ran wide and Max Verstappen slipped into second, behind Leclerc and ahead of Hamilton.

Stewards gave Leclerc a five-second penalty, which he served at his pit stop as he lost the lead to Verstappen. After a red flag, Hamilton moved into second at the standing restart. He pressed Verstappen in the final laps but could not pass and finished second, with Leclerc fourth behind new world champion Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton said he was happy about Antonelli’s title, despite his anger over Ferrari’s result.

Hamilton said the matter would be discussed privately, though he was unsure how he wanted to approach the conversation. He said Ferrari had no rules of engagement between its drivers and did not know whether such rules would change Leclerc’s approach.