Leclerc says Hamilton clash was blown out of proportion

Charles Leclerc says his scuffle with Lewis Hamilton in Mexico grew to proportions that were far too big, although he accepts it needed to be settled. The Ferrari teammates clashed on the opening lap of the Mexican Grand Prix, with Hamilton criticising Leclerc for working against him. Hamilton repeated his claim in Brazil, saying Leclerc races his teammates differently.

The pair discussed their grievances with team principal Fred Vasseur on the Thursday night in Sao Paulo. Hamilton said they had squashed the matter and had a huge amount of respect for each other. Leclerc said the air had been cleared and that he now considered the matter a closed chapter.

Leclerc declined to comment on Hamilton's claim that he races his teammates harder than the rest of the field, saying there had already been too many comments on the subject.