Leclerc declines to address Hamilton’s claim that he races him differently

Charles Leclerc declined to say whether he agreed with Lewis Hamilton’s claim that the Ferrari driver races him differently from other drivers. Asked during the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend, Leclerc replied: “I wouldn't want to comment on that.” He said there had been too many comments and too much fuss for too long, and agreed that the story had lasted longer than it should.

The Ferrari team-mates had held clear-the-air talks with Fred Vasseur on Thursday evening in Brazil. Hamilton’s claim followed their first-lap fight for the lead at the Mexico City Grand Prix: Leclerc attacked him at Turn 4, and both drivers went off track. Hamilton also described Leclerc as having a “do or die attitude.”

Leclerc agreed with a separate suggestion that clashes between two number-one drivers are common at top teams. He said teammates can disagree but have to find common ground.