Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has called for serious discussions within Ferrari following a controversial opening-lap incident with team-mate Charles Leclerc at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who started from pole position, held his lead through the opening corners before Leclerc challenged him around the outside at Turn Four. Both drivers ran off the track, but Leclerc rejoined ahead and retained the lead, while Hamilton lost momentum and was overtaken by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

The stewards imposed a five-second time penalty on Leclerc for gaining an advantage by leaving the track. However, the penalty was not enough to prevent the incident from changing the race outcome, as Verstappen eventually took the lead after Leclerc served the sanction during his pit stop.

Hamilton finished second, while Leclerc came home fourth after the race also featured a red-flag interruption and restart following Valtteri Bottas’ crash.

Speaking after the race, Hamilton said Ferrari had the pace to secure both first and second positions but lost the opportunity because of the intra-team battle.

He said the drivers had discussed track limits during the pre-race briefing and maintained that a driver who gained an advantage by leaving the circuit should return the position.

Hamilton also recalled receiving a 10-second penalty for a similar incident during the previous season, questioning why Leclerc was given a lesser sanction.

The British driver said the team needed to establish clearer expectations for how its drivers should compete against each other, particularly when fighting for a race victory.

He added that the interests of the team and the people working behind the scenes should take priority over individual ambitions.

Leclerc, however, defended his actions, saying he had seen an opportunity to overtake and was prepared to fight for the win. He acknowledged that both drivers had gone off track and said he initially considered giving the position back.

The Monegasque explained that the situation became complicated after Verstappen overtook Hamilton, leaving him uncertain about which position he should surrender. He said he consulted the team over the radio but ultimately decided to retain his place and accept the penalty.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also expressed disappointment over the lost opportunity, saying the incident would be discussed separately with both drivers.

Verstappen, who won the race, said Red Bull had benefited from Ferrari’s internal battle, which he believed had cost the Italian team victory.

The result leaves Ferrari with a need to address its approach to intra-team competition as the Formula One championship moves to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil.