Hamilton and Leclerc feud threatens Ferrari's 2027 title push after Mexico clash

Lap-one clash in Mexico

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc collided on lap one of the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, 1 November, as Leclerc tried to pass his Ferrari teammate. Both drivers ran off the track at Turn 4. Leclerc was handed a five-second penalty, while Hamilton ran wide, dropped down the order and was passed by Max Verstappen, who went on to win. The outcome cost Ferrari what would have been a likely victory and possibly a one-two finish. Team principal Fred Vasseur condemned the incident as showing a lack of respect for the team, and he is expected to hold a crunch meeting with both drivers at Interlagos on Friday, 6 November.

Earlier flashpoints

The Mexico clash was not the first dispute between the two drivers this season. At Zandvoort, Hamilton was frustrated when Leclerc, on a different tyre strategy, did not pit when first told to, which would have let Hamilton past. At Monza, Hamilton went down the inside into the first chicane and was squeezed wide onto the gravel by his teammate. Hamilton had previously said such matters would be handled behind closed doors, which he calls "offline". After Mexico he criticised Leclerc in public, and before the Brazilian race he was more outspoken still.

Hamilton refuses to be silenced

At the media day in Brazil on Thursday, 5 November, Hamilton was asked whether Leclerc fights him harder than other drivers. He said he could see what others saw and pointed to Singapore, where Leclerc was fully alongside Verstappen on the inside before backing off. Hamilton added that the same had happened with his earlier teammates Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz, and said he did not care what people thought of his comments.

“Naturally it's not so easy having someone like me come into a team because I'm very outspoken”

Hamilton said he sometimes says things he might regret, but he would not apologise for speaking openly. He also called for "serious talks" with the team after the race, a conversation the pair have not yet had with Vasseur.

“I'm never going to apologise for being authentic and real and I'm not going to be silenced.”

Hill, Bottas and the No 1 question

Damon Hill posted on X that Ferrari should make Hamilton its No 1 driver to end the debate. Hamilton is currently third in the championship, 14 points ahead of Leclerc, with four rounds remaining. Leclerc has not yet responded publicly, and he missed the Thursday media day after the birth of his first child. Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate, said that friction between teammates is normal in the sport and that he is sure the two Ferrari drivers are on good terms. Hamilton, who is 41, is set to start his 400th Grand Prix in São Paulo this weekend, a race he says makes the milestone more special.

“Sort it out. Make it clear. Ends all debate. Lewis will deliver for Ferrari. If they back him 100%.”