Hamilton Slams Leclerc's 'Do or Die' Mentality After Mexico Defeat

Lewis Hamilton has accused Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc of a "do or die" mentality after their first-lap clash cost the team a likely one-two at the Mexico City Grand Prix — and handed Max Verstappen the win.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's 2026 campaign has been defined by missed opportunities, and Sunday was the clearest example yet. Hamilton started from pole with Leclerc third, and the Scuderia had the pace to control the race. Instead, Leclerc attacked around the outside into Turn 1, ran over the kerb, then cut across Turn 5 to take the lead — earning a five-second penalty that dropped him to fourth and let Verstappen through.

The details:

• Hamilton recovered to finish second, with new world champion Kimi Antonelli third. Leclerc ended up fourth, leaving Ferrari on two wins for the season and 126 points adrift of Mercedes.
• The flashpoints are stacking up: Zandvoort, where Hamilton was held up and questioned the lack of team orders, and Monza, where Leclerc forced him onto the gravel and accepted responsibility.
• "The guy is 28 years old, so I don't think it's an age thing. I think it's a mentality thing," Hamilton said. "It's like, 'Do or die. Either I win or none of us do.'"
• Leclerc was unrepentant to Sky Sports: "There was a gap and when you are fighting for a win, I will always go for it."
• Hamilton admitted he is "torn" — happy for Antonelli's title, furious about the lost points — and said "serious talks" are needed, though he doubts they will change much from Leclerc's side.

What's next:

With no rules of engagement in place, Hamilton heads into the closing races unsure how to handle the relationship, insisting "something needs to change for sure." Team boss Fred Vasseur, who spoke to Hamilton before the race, now faces the task of imposing order on a line-up that keeps giving points away.