Lewis Hamilton fires back at Leclerc tensions with defiant Ferrari warning

Lewis Hamilton says he “won’t be silenced” as he continues to push for “conversations that must be had” about how he and Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc race each other.

The seven-time Formula 1 champion made the comments during Ferrari’s Thursday press conference in Brazil, four days after the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Leclerc was absent from the media session, having stayed away following the birth of his child.

That left Hamilton to face questions alone about the first-lap clash that cost Ferrari a potential victory in Mexico.

Hamilton started from pole position in Mexico City.

On the opening lap, Leclerc attacked him into Turns 1 and 2.

At Turn 4, Leclerc tried to go around the outside of Hamilton’s car.

Hamilton went deep into the corner in defense, and Leclerc ran off the track.

The result was costly for Ferrari.

Hamilton dropped from first to third behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Leclerc received a five-second penalty for the move.

Over team radio during the race, Hamilton said his teammate “pushed him off.”

After the race, he went further.

“If we just held position, I think anything can happen in the race, but when your teammate works against you, and then you lose positions like that, it’s definitely tough,” Hamilton said.

“So we’ll just talk about it offline, and it’s not really worth saying too much more.

“We don’t have rules of engagement, and whether or not that will change anything from Charles’ side, I don’t know.

“We’ve just got to figure it out, but something needs to change, for sure.”

Four days later in Brazil, Hamilton showed no sign of softening his stance.

When asked whether Leclerc’s long history with Ferrari — eight years and nine wins — made it harder for Hamilton to settle in, he acknowledged the challenge.

“He’s been here a long time,” Hamilton said.

“Eight years and had nine wins with the team.

“He is very much embedded within the team, and I know that it would always be a challenge.

“I’ve always respected that, and I’ve approached the team and really worked hard to build a good relationship with Charles and bridge the gap and make sure that we’re harmonious and work hard together.

“Always tried to be respectful.”

But Hamilton also admitted his own personality has made the transition harder.

“Naturally, it’s not so easy having someone like me come into a team, because I’m very outspoken and I push and push and push,” he said.

“Push for so many changes.

“And I’m going to be pushing for more.

“And as long as I’m here, that’s how it’s going to be.”

Hamilton said he and team principal Fred Vasseur have not yet had a deep conversation about the Mexico incident.

“Well, we haven’t really had the time to speak much in depth,” Hamilton said.

“We have spoken, and I fully understand my responsibility to the team.

“We have so many people working so hard back at the factory.

“That’s why I’m always praising them.

“That’s why I’m always trying to show my appreciation for them and do my absolute utmost to help push the team forward, and I feel like I’ve been a big part of where we are today as a team, which is positive.”

Vasseur’s own post-race comments in Mexico did not single out either driver.

This is the second time in recent races that infighting between Hamilton and Leclerc has hurt Ferrari’s result.

The first was at the Italian Grand Prix in September.