It almost felt like Lewis Hamilton was speaking directly to Charles Leclerc as he penned a strongly-worded statement on social media in the aftermath of that dramatic Mexican Grand Prix.

The seven-time F1 champion was left furious on Sunday as his chances of claiming victory from pole position were destroyed by an early-race skirmish with his Ferrari team-mate at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Their battle allowed Max Verstappen to step in and claim the race win, and Hamilton to once again bemoan the lack of rules of engagement for himself and Leclerc.

The 41-year-old British superstar would later issue a detailed and heartfelt statement on social media, and once particular segment almost felt like it was written just for Leclerc.

Hamilton sends message about Ferrari standards

Hamilton said: "I know what goes into giving us that opportunity [to win the race]. The standard the team holds itself to, the standard I hold myself to, the standard the fans expect. Everyone deserves to see us at our best and win. We’re all here to race and want to win.

"Battling is necessary, but when that battle costs the team, we have to be honest about it and learn from it. We can push each other to the limit and still honour the responsibility to everyone who put us on that track."

This was Hamilton, once again, taking on the role of a team leader, attempting to raise standards at Maranello to the ones he experienced at Mercedes and now expects in Italy.

This isn't the first time in recent races that Hamilton vs Leclerc has become a major issue for the Scuderia - we are only a few weeks out from their disastrous clash at the Italian Grand Prix.

Ferrari defeat was costly and painful - Hamilton

Again their battle for internal supremacy at Maranello cost the team dear, and again Hamilton was left to emphasise how painful that is.

"Our own weekend was one full of challenges," he wrote.

"We had a lot thrown at us but our mechanics and engineers did an incredible job. We’ve grown so much together this year, and that progress has taken a huge effort from everyone on the track and back at the factory. That’s why losing what could’ve been a win hurts so much.

"We need to grasp every opportunity we have, so it’s incredibly frustrating, and I can’t pretend otherwise."

Hamilton is in it for the long haul at Ferrari

Anybody who thinks Hamilton is not in this for the long-term at Ferrari, or that he may become too frustrated that he will walk away, got a clear message that will not happen.

"I’ll keep giving everything I have. My belief in this team hasn’t changed and neither has my responsibility to help us get this right.

"Stick with us. I’m only just getting started with this team, and we have so much more to come."