New details about Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari contract come out and change the whole Lewis Hamilton story.
Journalist Marc Limacher has shared that Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari contract includes a special clause that would stop the team from setting the written rules of engagement Lewis Hamilton has suggested.
At the Mexico Grand Prix, Hamilton got pole position for the first time in over three years but lost his spot on the first lap as Leclerc made a bold move across the grass at Turn 4. Hamilton then dropped behind Max Verstappen. Even though Hamilton managed to pass Leclerc later to finish second, the incident sparked more talk about Ferrari’s unclear rules between teammates.
Limacher explained on X that since 2020, Leclerc’s contract has had a clause that prevents the team from making formal rules for how the drivers race each other.
Hamilton first pushed for these rules after a crash with Leclerc at the Italian Grand Prix. He said back then that Ferrari had “no rules” and needed “rules of engagement” like the ones he had at Mercedes. After the Mexico race, Hamilton again said Ferrari needs to have serious talks to sort things out.
He said, “Every choice you make on track affects all the people working behind the scenes. Being a team is part of our job and contract. Today, we could have handled it better. This will keep happening unless there’s a real, honest conversation to stop it.”
Hamilton also shared mixed feelings, happy that young racer Antonelli won the championship but frustrated with the situation on track.
Hamilton feels Ferrari doesn’t have clear enough guidelines for how he and Leclerc race each other and wants clearer rules to avoid conflicts. In Mexico, Leclerc kept his position after cutting the track, even though Hamilton thought he should have let him pass.
Hamilton thinks the team might have lost a one-two finish because the two drivers weren’t working together. He said on Sky Sports, “At Mercedes, I saw Charles and Carlos battling so much that the leader pulled away, even though they could’ve won. That’s one thing when it’s for lower spots, but it’s different for first and second. Losing the win is huge.”
He added, “Charles is 28, so it’s not about age but mindset. It’s like ‘win at all costs’ instead of working as a team to get the best result. At Silverstone, I could have risked everything and crashed him out but didn’t — finishing first and third was better.”
Hamilton hopes Ferrari can find a better way for the drivers to work together moving forward.