Tension between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc has intensified following a dramatic Mexico City Grand Prix, bringing renewed attention to the Monégasque driver's initial reservations about being joined by the seven-time world champion at Ferrari.

Hamilton publicly criticised Leclerc, suggesting his teammate had prioritised beating him rather than securing the best possible result for Ferrari. The pair battled during the opening lap, eventually allowing Max Verstappen to capitalise and take the lead, with Hamilton finishing second and Leclerc fourth.

It wasn't the first time the Ferrari teammates had clashed on track. During September's Italian Grand Prix, the pair went wheel-to-wheel, with Leclerc forcing Hamilton onto the gravel and dropping him from fourth to tenth. The 29-year-old later apologised for the incident.

Charles Leclerc's Response to Lewis Hamilton Joining Ferrari

On this occasion, Hamilton refused to attribute the Mexico City drama to Leclerc's age, instead suggesting it was a 'mentality' issue. With the pair now at loggerheads, Leclerc's initial reservations about Hamilton joining Ferrari have resurfaced.

Hamilton's move from Mercedes to Ferrari in January 2025 was one of the most unexpected transfers in Formula 1 history, and it wasn't just F1 fans who were stunned by the announcement. Back in February 2024, following confirmation of the switch, Leclerc reportedly felt 'shocked and disappointed', having only recently signed a new long-term deal.

Reports in Italy claimed Leclerc had 'no idea what was about to happen' and that he and his team were unhappy with the announcement. Having enjoyed greater success than any of his previous teammates, a potential power struggle with Hamilton appeared inevitable.

That said, other reports suggested Leclerc had embraced the challenge of 'trying to beat a seven-time world champion or lose to one of the best in history'. Before Hamilton's arrival, Leclerc had already spoken about the prospect of becoming teammates, making clear his respect for the Briton while also highlighting his 'great relationship' with Carlos Sainz Jr, who made way for the seven-time champion:

"Lewis is such an incredible driver, has achieved so much in the sport, so I think anybody on the grid would love to have Lewis as a teammate, as everybody would learn a lot from him. But again, I’m happy where I am, and with Carlos, it’s a great relationship too."

Hamilton and Leclerc have since formed Ferrari's driver pairing during a significant period of change in Formula 1, with the sport introducing its latest power unit and aerodynamic regulations. However, their clashes at the Italian and Mexican Grands Prix have raised fresh questions about their relationship, with Hamilton now accusing his teammate of 'working against' him.

Ferrari's Vasseur Gives Verdict on Hamilton and Leclerc Spat

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur addressed the situation and the fallout from the Mexico City Grand Prix and emphasised that the team had failed collectively. He confirmed that clear-the-air talks between the drivers had taken place (via grandprix247):

"We spoke yesterday evening because I had to fly back to Europe between the two races. It went well. It was good to discuss things and clarify my position and their positions. Now we turn the page and focus on the next one."

Vasseur alluded to the pair's competitiveness: "I think they've accumulated a bit of frustration because they're starting each weekend side by side, and you have an accumulation of incidents. At the end of the day, the guidelines are always the same. They need to respect each other. They're two competitors with a fighting spirit, but they need to respect one another."

Both drivers are now set to attend team briefings before sessions to ensure they adhere strictly to revised rules of engagement. Their team's new protocols will be tested when they race in tomorrow's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.