Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has conceded that his five-second penalty for overtaking teammate Lewis Hamilton off the track during the Mexico City Grand Prix was entirely justified. The Monegasque driver acknowledged that his decision to retain the position after running wide at Turn 4 significantly impacted the dynamic of their early race battle, ultimately leading to the stewards intervention.
The high-stakes incident unfolded during the opening lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday as both Ferrari teammates fought fiercely for position shortly after lights out. Both cars ran wide at Turn 4, but Leclerc maintained his advantage by cutting across the grass. With Max Verstappen applying pressure from behind, Leclerc chose to hold his ground rather than surrender the spot, prompting race officials to hand down the sanction. Hamilton ultimately secured second place behind race winner Verstappen, while Leclerc managed to finish fourth.
Race Incidents and Stewards Decision
- Deserved Penalty: Charles Leclerc openly admitted that the five-second time penalty handed down by the stewards was fair and correct under the racing regulations.
- Opening Lap Chaos: Both Ferrari teammates ran wide at Turn 4, with Leclerc cutting across the grass and choosing to keep his position ahead of Hamilton.
- Strategic Choices: Leclerc explained that with a Red Bull car immediately threatening behind, he felt keeping the position was the tactical move to assess subsequent opportunities.
- Mitigating Factors: Stewards opted for a lighter five-second sanction rather than a stricter penalty because Hamilton also briefly went off track during the chaotic sequence.
Internal Discussions Ahead of Brazil
Following the race, Lewis Hamilton expressed clear frustration over team radio and called for constructive internal discussions, believing the opening-lap tussle cost Ferrari a potential one-two finish. Leclerc countered by suggesting that Hamilton had also pushed him hard near the edge of the track out of Turn 1, maintaining that such hard-fought duels are simply part of competitive racing when victory is on the line. The Italian constructor plans to address the disagreement internally before traveling to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, scheduled for November 6-8. Ferrari currently maintains a comfortable 124-point lead over Red Bull in the fierce battle for second place in the Constructors Championship standings.
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