Leclerc explains why he kept the lead after Verstappen passed Hamilton

Charles Leclerc says he planned to give Lewis Hamilton the lead back after their opening-lap incident at the Mexico City Grand Prix, but kept it once Max Verstappen overtook Hamilton.

Leclerc had come through the first three corners in second behind Hamilton before going around the outside at Turn 4. Both drivers missed the corner, and Leclerc cut across the grass, gaining an advantage. He said there had been a gap at Turns 1 and 2 and that he would always go for it when fighting for a win.

Leclerc said his initial intention was to return the position. Hamilton then lost momentum, allowing Verstappen to dive down the inside at Turn 6. Leclerc described the situation as confusing and said he thought it was worth seeing what happened; after asking on the radio, he kept his position.

Hamilton was angry on the radio, telling race engineer Carlo Santi that giving the place back had been discussed at the drivers’ briefing. He later said there would be a “big problem” over the situation as the race unfolded.

The stewards gave Leclerc a five-second time penalty. He built a gap of about that size before his first pit stop, but Verstappen took the net lead in the pit lane. Leclerc finished fourth, with Hamilton second behind Verstappen. Leclerc said he was sure Hamilton had hated the opening laps and that the pair would discuss what happened.