'We've got big problems' - Hamilton says Ferrari need 'serious talks'

Key points

• Hamilton said Ferrari must hold serious talks after fighting between its drivers cost it victory in Mexico City.
• Leclerc cut a chicane on the first lap to take the lead, and Hamilton then lost second place to Verstappen.
• Verstappen won the race, while Antonelli finished third to become F1's youngest world champion.

Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari needs internal discussions after clashes between its two drivers cost the team a win at the Mexico City Grand Prix. On the first lap, Charles Leclerc cut a chicane to take the lead from Hamilton, and Hamilton then lost second place to Max Verstappen as a result of his teammate's move.

Verstappen went on to win the race. Kimi Antonelli finished third and became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.

What the drivers said

Hamilton said the first-lap incident cost Ferrari the victory and that the team must hold serious talks in private. During a red-flag stoppage caused by a crash involving Valtteri Bottas' Cadillac, Hamilton said over team radio that the team had big problems.

Leclerc said he would speak with Hamilton and that both drivers went off the track. He said he kept the position because a Red Bull was running second and he felt it was worth it, adding that he could also be unhappy about being pushed off at Turn One but that this is racing.

We have to have some serious talks behind closed doors.

— Lewis Hamilton

A pattern of tension

The Mexico City clash is the latest and arguably most serious friction between Hamilton and Leclerc this season. Earlier, Leclerc pushed Hamilton off track at the first corner of the Italian Grand Prix, and in the race before that he ignored a team order to let Hamilton pass.

In Singapore last month, Hamilton felt he should have been let by when the drivers were on different tyres, but Ferrari declined to make the call.