Leclerc avoids thorny Hamilton question after 'different racing' claim

Charles Leclerc has declined to comment on Lewis Hamilton’s suggestion that he races the seven-time champion “differently,” saying the Ferrari flashpoint has generated far more noise than it warranted. The pair’s tension surfaced in Mexico City when Leclerc attacked Hamilton for the lead at Turn 4, both ran off track, and the stewards later gave Leclerc a five-second penalty.

Why it matters:

Ferrari’s title ambitions depend on its drivers managing a combustible rivalry. Hamilton’s claim and Fred Vasseur’s criticism that both had disrespected the Ferrari brand turned a first-lap incident into a broader test of team discipline.

The details:

• Leclerc was asked whether he agreed with Hamilton’s assertion that their wheel-to-wheel battles are different. He refused to engage: “I wouldn’t want to comment on that.”
• He added that there had been “way too many comments” and “much too much fuss” about the incident, and agreed the story had lasted longer than it should have.
• The drivers held clear-the-air talks with Vasseur in Brazil after the Mexico fallout. Hamilton had said he was furious at losing a possible one-two and questioned Leclerc’s “do or die” approach.
• Leclerc acknowledged that clashes between two number one drivers are part of top-team F1. “History speaks for itself,” he said. “Sometimes you disagree, but you’ve got to find common ground.”

What’s next:

The truce lowers the temperature, but the underlying dynamic remains. With both drivers determined to lead Ferrari, their next on-track battle will be watched just as closely as the result.