Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Leclerc gets five-second penalty after clash with Hamilton in Mexico
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton clashed while fighting for the lead on the opening lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The Ferrari teammates both went off track at Turn 4, and Leclerc stayed ahead rather than giving the position back.
FIA stewards gave Leclerc a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage off track.
They said neither driver could have made the corner on track at that speed, and reduced the usual 10-second penalty because Hamilton also went off and it happened early in the race.
Hamilton said the penalty left Leclerc with clear air and called for him to return the place.
The penalty affected the battle for the lead: Leclerc served it at a pit stop, and Max Verstappen moved ahead, while a red flag later stopped the race on lap 46.
Charles Leclerc received a five-second penalty after cutting the track during an opening-lap fight with Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Leclerc kept the lead after going off track at Turn 4 and rejoining after Turn 5, while Hamilton lost ground to Max Verstappen.
Hamilton said the incident cost Ferrari a chance to win and called for serious talks within the team.
Leclerc said both drivers made mistakes and that Hamilton’s driving was also “very much on the limit.”
Verstappen won the race, Hamilton finished second and Leclerc finished fourth.
- Who
- Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
- What
- Leclerc received a five-second penalty after cutting the track and retaining the lead during a clash with Hamilton.
- When
- The opening lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix on 1 November 2026.
- Where
- Turns 4 and 5 at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Why
- The stewards ruled Leclerc had left the track and gained an advantage by completing an overtake off track.
Lewis Hamilton
Charles Leclerc
Penalty and position
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton said Leclerc should have given the position back and argued the five-second penalty was too lenient.
Charles Leclerc
Leclerc said he expected a penalty but received no clear guidance from the team about what to do during the race.
Responsibility for the incident
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton said the incident cost Ferrari the win and called for serious talks behind the scenes.
Charles Leclerc
Leclerc said both drivers made a mistake and that Hamilton’s driving was also very much on the limit.
Importance of the incident
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton said the incident needed to be discussed internally.
Charles Leclerc
Leclerc said it should not be that much of a talking point because there was no contact.
Leclerc challenged Hamilton for the lead and went off track during their fight at Turn 4.
Leclerc rejoined in the lead, while Hamilton lost momentum and Verstappen moved ahead of him.
Leclerc served his five-second penalty and dropped behind Verstappen.
Hamilton overtook Leclerc at the standing restart.
Verstappen won, Hamilton finished second and Leclerc finished fourth.
- Penalty
- Five seconds for Leclerc
- Track location
- Turns 4 and 5, Mexico City Grand Prix
- Race winner
- Max Verstappen
- Hamilton’s result
- Second place
- Leclerc’s result
- Fourth place
17 sources
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Charles Leclerc responds to Lewis Hamilton's call for Ferrari talks after Mexico GP
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Hamilton demands 'serious talks' after latest Leclerc incident
Ferrari teammates clash on lap one
Hadjar en tête-à-queue, Leclerc pénalisé, le départ du Grand Prix de Mexico a été agité
Lewis Hamilton fumes at Ferrari team-mate after colliding in Mexican GP start as FIA issue penalty
Hamilton: 'Big problems' amid Leclerc incident
What people are saying
Ultimately, it was that that lost us the win today, and I think we have to have some serious talks behind the scenes for sure.
The stewards are basically handing Charles this win.
I felt like it was very much on the limit also what he did.
At the end we both did a mistake going into Turn 4, it's not like we had contact whatsoever.
Posts on X
Charles knew exactly what he was doing there, braked to be ahead at the apex not to make the corner, clearly gains an advantage and let’s stewards argue it out, has clean air and has not lost a place, worst case scenario 5 secs pen! #F1 #MexicoGP
I don't think either Ferrari driver merits any slap from the stewards for that. Hamilton tried to brazen it out, but Leclerc was on the outside and can't disappear. Charles couldn't be bullied out of his move around the outside. #F1 #MexicoGP
Five second penalty is not enough when Leclerc is already 3.5 sec over Verstappen and 5+ over Hamilton, and has benefit of clear air which is huge here