Leclerc says both Ferrari drivers erred in Mexico GP clash

Charles Leclerc says both he and Lewis Hamilton made mistakes in their opening-lap fight at the Mexico City Grand Prix, after Hamilton called for serious discussions at Ferrari following the race.

Leclerc challenged polesitter Hamilton into Turn 4. Both braked late and went off track, with Leclerc returning ahead. The stewards gave the Monegasque a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the circuit. The incident also allowed Max Verstappen to move into second; after Leclerc served his penalty in the pits, Verstappen took the lead and went on to win.

The exchange adds to scrutiny of Leclerc’s position within the team, including our coverage of Leclerc’s Ferrari mindset.

Leclerc expects a Ferrari discussion, but shares the blame

Hamilton said after the race that the clash had cost Ferrari a chance to win and that the team needed serious talks. Leclerc confirmed they would discuss what happened, but said he was unsure whether Hamilton’s frustration was directed at him or at how the incident and penalty were handled.

Leclerc argued that Hamilton’s own approach into the corner was also close to the limit. He said both drivers had been fighting for the lead with little room to spare, and both made errors at Turn 4. There was no contact, but their excursions gave Verstappen an opportunity to pass.

Hamilton had asked during the race for Leclerc to give the position back. Leclerc said he did not receive clear guidance from the team, so he continued, while anticipating that a penalty might follow. He acknowledged that the decision over whether to return the place was difficult to make in the moment.

The stewards ruled that both cars entered the corner too quickly, but found Leclerc had not earned the right to the corner and had completed an off-track overtake. Leclerc said the pair would revisit the episode in a team briefing. Hamilton’s call for conversations also sits alongside other Hamilton-Ferrari questions.

Leclerc points to circuit layout as the wider issue

Leclerc said the penalty’s severity could be debated, while noting that the written rules shaped the stewards’ decision. He argued that circuits should make it harder for drivers to take such risks and exploit grey areas. A wall at the exit of Turn 4, he suggested, would have discouraged both drivers from braking so late.

He added that the discussion about stricter penalties after George Russell cut a chicane in Monaco applied specifically to that circuit, rather than as a general rule. Drivers had discussed the Mexico track limits at their Thursday briefing, Leclerc said, and the broader solution was to change layouts that allow these risky moves.