Leclerc and Hamilton collide again as Ferrari faces questions over rules

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton collided on the opening lap in Mexico City after running wide together at Turn 4 while Leclerc attempted an outside move for the lead. Both cars left the circuit, and Leclerc rejoined ahead after cutting across the grass at Turn 5, while Hamilton lost second to Max Verstappen. Stewards gave Leclerc a five-second time penalty, reduced from ten seconds because Hamilton had also run wide.

Telemetry showed Leclerc carried a 15 km/h slipstream advantage into the corner and braked 25 metres later than Hamilton. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur rejected the idea that the circuit layout was to blame, pointing instead to overly combative racing between the two drivers.

Mexico was described as the third significant flashpoint between the pair this season, following incidents at the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix. Vasseur has so far resisted introducing written rules of engagement, preferring shared principles and post-race debriefs.