Lewis Hamilton has sparked controversy by claiming that Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc drives against him with greater aggression than he does against any other competitor on the Formula 1 grid. The outspoken Briton’s comments follow a chaotic opening lap at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where a contact between the two Ferraris eliminated both cars from contention for the win. The incident allowed Max Verstappen to capitalize on the chaos, securing a victory for Red Bull and denying Ferrari a probable one-two finish that would have significantly narrowed the championship gap.
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The clash has intensified scrutiny on the internal dynamics within the Scuderia, with Hamilton insisting the team requires “serious talks” to establish clearer protocols for intra-team battles. While some pundits have drawn parallels to Leclerc’s aggressive defense against Verstappen in Singapore, Hamilton’s direct assertion suggests a perceived double standard in how the Monegasque approaches head-to-head duels. This tension threatens to undermine Ferrari’s momentum as they push to challenge Red Bull’s dominance in the latter stages of the season.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur is expected to convene a private meeting with both drivers to address the incident and determine the path forward. The discussion aims to prevent a recurrence of such costly errors while maintaining the competitive edge that has defined Ferrari’s resurgence. As the championship approaches its climax, the stability of the Ferrari driver pairing will be a critical factor in their ability to sustain pressure on Red Bull and Mercedes in the remaining rounds.
Source: Sky Sports
