Hamilton Won't Retract Criticism of Ferrari Teammate Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton is not softening his message. Ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver said he stands by his criticism of teammate Charles Leclerc after their flashpoint in Mexico.

The title picture in Brazil

The row lands in a weekend with stakes. Mercedes secured the drivers' title with Kimi Antonelli last weekend. They can also clinch the constructors' championship in Brazil if they outscore Ferrari by three points.

A partnership with history

Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019, and Hamilton joined in 2025. They worked well together last year. This season Hamilton has had the better form, and Mexico was the third time the two have been at odds on track. Leclerc has not yet replied to Hamilton.

The seven-time champion said Leclerc is deeply embedded in the team, which he always knew would be a challenge. He says he has worked hard to build a good relationship and bridge the gap. Someone as outspoken as him, who keeps pushing for change, makes things hard, he said, and he will keep pushing as long as he is there.

He said he is there to win, and that winning means working with everyone around you. He believes the team can fight for the championship next year.

No apology

Speaking before the Brazilian weekend, Hamilton said he does not care what others think of his words. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he said, and says what he feels in the moment. He admitted there are times when people regret what they say, but not him.

"I'm never going to apologise for being authentic and real and I'm not going to be silenced," he said. Nobody has asked him to stay quiet.

Leclerc skipped Thursday's media commitments in Sao Paulo because he was at the birth of his first child. He has yet to respond. Hamilton said Ferrari need to address the issue, but that the two drivers have not yet spoken to team principal Fred Vasseur.

A lap-one clash at turn four

The two were battling at turn four on the opening lap of last Sunday's race. Leclerc tried to pass his teammate and went off the track. Hamilton's defence then left him exposed to Max Verstappen, who passed him and went on to win. Ferrari lost a potential one-two.

Ferrari have no formal rules of engagement for their drivers. At the time Hamilton called the situation at the team a set of "big, big problems", and later put the blame squarely on Leclerc. He described it as a mentality issue, not an age one, because Leclerc is 29.

Source: The Guardian