HAMILTON SAYS LECLERC COST FERRARI VICTORY IN MEXICO AND CALLS FOR “SERIOUS TALKS”

Hamilton pointed the finger squarely at Charles Leclerc after Ferrari threw away a one-two start in Mexico. The pair went off at turn four on lap one when Leclerc lunged for the lead, both rejoining but Leclerc ahead while Hamilton dropped behind Verstappen. The stewards handed Leclerc five seconds — the same corner where Hamilton took a ten-second hit last year — but it wasn't enough to rescue the result. Hamilton retook Leclerc at a restart but couldn't crack Verstappen, finishing 0.9 seconds back.

"That lost us the win today," Hamilton said. "We have to have some serious talks behind the scenes." Leclerc countered that Hamilton squeezed him at turn one and keeping position ahead of the Red Bull was the right call for Ferrari, penalty or not. He ran the older power unit this weekend and still nearly won. The intra-team tension heading into the next race is the real story now.