Leclerc says Hamilton was 'on the limit too' after chaotic Mexico GP opening lap

Charles Leclerc has defended his opening-lap move on Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico City Grand Prix, insisting his team-mate was “very much on the limit” too as the pair’s collision handed Max Verstappen a race-winning opportunity.

Leclerc attacked polesitter Hamilton at Turn 4 on the first lap, with both Ferrari drivers braking late and running wide. Leclerc cut the track to emerge ahead, but the stewards issued him a five-second penalty for leaving the circuit and gaining an advantage. Verstappen, who had slotted in between the two Ferraris amid the confusion, ultimately inherited the lead when Leclerc served his penalty at the pitstop and went on to win the race.

“In Turn 1 there was a gap on the outside and I had quite a lot of speed around the outside,” Leclerc explained. “At Turn 4 and 5, Lewis and I both tried to brake very late. We both didn’t make the corner. I obviously cut the track, which eventually — after Turn 5 — there was Max in between, which made the situation more confusing.”

Hamilton said after the race that the incident had cost Ferrari the win and that “we have to have some serious talks behind the scenes for sure.” But Leclerc suggested his team-mate’s frustration may be directed less at him personally and more at how the stewards handled the situation.

“We will talk about it obviously. I don’t know if he was very unhappy with what I did, because I felt like it was very much on the limit also what he did,” Leclerc said. “I think he was maybe more angry with the whole situation — how it was dealt with at Turn 4 and 5 with the penalty. So this is something we’ll talk about for sure.”

Leclerc was also keen to contextualise the incident, arguing that close racing between team-mates fighting for a win will always carry risk. “We are fighting for the win and so of course there’s going to be very little margin left from him and from me. At the end we both did a mistake going into Turn 4,” he said.

“It’s not like we had contact or whatsoever. We both went straight and that gave the opportunity for Max to overtake, so I don’t think it should be that much of a talking point. Four, five, we both made a mistake — I paid with a penalty, and Lewis paid with Max overtaking him.”

The stewards ruled that both cars had entered the corner with excessive speed, though only Leclerc received a formal sanction. The incident adds a fresh layer of tension to Ferrari’s internal dynamic as the team continues to navigate its first season with Hamilton alongside Leclerc.