Lewis Hamilton was blunt in response to a particular question asked about Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc’s racing conduct after their first-lap clash in Mexico.
The close encounter between the two red cars at first two chicanes at last week’s Mexico City Grand Prix has continued to be hot-button issue going into this weekend’s Sao Paulo GP at Interlagos.
In the immediate aftermath of last week’s race, Hamilton conveyed his frustration and scarcely-veiled rage at the situation that arose, which he felt cost him victory and the Scuderia a potential one-two.
Questioning the Monegasque’s “mentality” and promulgating his sympathy to the team for their hard work being spoilt, Hamilton called for “serious conversations” to ensure such an incident doesn’t happen again.
Leclerc was excused from media duties on Thursday, having been in transit to Brazil following the birth of his daughter Bianca earlier in the week.
This left Hamilton to be the sole representative before the press, and when asked about those desired conversations, the 41-year-old explained the fraught turnaround of the tripleheader and Leclerc’s personal circumstances have rendered those conversations to be a continues hypothesis.
“Well we haven’t had the time really to speak much in depth,” he said. “We have spoken and I fully understand my responsibility to the team.
“I know that’s we have so many people working so hard back at the factory, that’s why I’m always praising them.
“That’s why I’m always trying to show my appreciation for them and do my absolute utmost to help push the team forwards, and I feel like I’ve been a big part of where we are today as a team, which is which is positive.”
Lewis Hamilton gives startling response to question on Leclerc conduct
After the race last weekend, Hamilton alluded to his obserbations of how, when still a Mercedes, he observed the racing between Leclerc and then-teammate Carlos Sainz, theorising it cost Ferrari wins then.
A key layer taken from this debate, as a result, has been whether Leclerc has a propensity to race teammates harder than other drivers on the grid.
When this question was put to Hamilton, using what could be viewed as a more cautious approach against Max Verstappen in Singapore as an example, the Brit was concise in his response.
“Yes.”
Hamilton added: “I see what you see. [In] Singapore, he was fully alongside, wheel-to-wheel, fully on the inside for the lead at Turn 1, Singapore, and he backed off.
“And I think it was definitely different, but I mean if you look at the teammates, it’s the same with Sebastian [Vettel], it’s the same with Carlos.”
An honorary citizen of Brazil and a longstanding admirer of Ayrton Senna, Hamilton might fully expect to feel some partisan support aimed his way this weekend, with the the crowd’s wrath coming down on Leclec.
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