Charles Leclerc finally speaks out about Lewis Hamilton and the Ferrari story after some jabs from his teammate.
Charles Leclerc has finally shared his thoughts after his heated clash with Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico City GP. Since the incident, Hamilton has been quite vocal, blaming his Ferrari teammate and suggesting their collision cost the team a win.
This weekend, Leclerc got his chance to speak up after Hamilton’s strong words, mentioning the “frustration” between them.
The 2026 Mexico GP kicked off with a dramatic and controversial moment when Leclerc tried to overtake Hamilton, resulting in both going off track. This handed the win to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and Hamilton was visibly angry during and after the race.
A week later, Hamilton hasn’t backed down. “I don’t care what others think about what I said. I speak my mind honestly, even if I might regret it later. But I don’t,” he said. “I won’t apologize for being real and I won’t be silenced. No one has told me to keep quiet, and that’s just how it is.”
Leclerc, who arrived a bit late to the Sao Paulo GP after the birth of his first child, Bianca, has now shared his side. “It was really good to talk things through,” he said. “It’s been a crazy week, but a happy one because I became a dad. We didn’t have much time to discuss before. I think clearing up any leftover frustration was important. Now I feel everything is settled, and we shouldn’t dwell on it anymore.”
Because of different schedules, Hamilton, Leclerc, and their Ferrari boss, Frederic Vasseur, only met during the Sao Paulo GP weekend. Vasseur says they’ve reached an understanding. “We talked yesterday before I flew back to Europe. It went well. We clarified our views and now we’re moving on. They’ve both had some built-up frustration given how close they start each race and the incidents that happen. They’re both fighters but need to respect each other—and the team, the brand, and all the people working behind the scenes.”
Looking ahead, Hamilton faces a tough challenge. He received a five-place grid penalty after using his fifth Internal Combustion Unit, exceeding the allowed four in a season. Verstappen will start at the back of the grid due to several engine changes, and George Russell will also get a five-place penalty for a similar reason.