Did Hamilton use Verstappen’s tactics against Leclerc in Mexico? Kunal Shah analyses the Turn 4 clash, Ferrari team orders and the racing logic.
Lewis Hamilton believes Charles Leclerc should have “protected a Ferrari 1-2” at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Really, Lewis?
Because after watching the Turn 4 incident repeatedly, I couldn’t help thinking that Hamilton had done to Leclerc what Max Verstappen has done to Hamilton so many times over the years.
I discussed the incident as a TV Pundit in the Viaplay studio for the Mexico GP, and later on the Inside Line F1 Podcast with Soumil Arora.
My biggest takeaway?
“Lewis did not make the corner either.”
And that changes how we should look at this battle.
Hamilton Learns a Trick From Verstappen?
Let’s rewind to the opening lap.
Hamilton gave Leclerc room through Turns 1, 2 and 3. But approaching Turn 4, Charles had the slipstream, the momentum and a chance to attack.
Both drivers wanted to brake last.
Both braked too late.
And neither made the corner.
Hamilton’s approach reminded me of Verstappen’s aggressive racing against him: claim the apex, run wide and make life difficult for the driver on the outside.
The irony!
Lewis has spent years dealing with that style of racing. Now he appeared to be using something similar against his own teammate.
Does that make Hamilton wrong and Leclerc right?
Not necessarily.
As I said on the Inside Line F1 Podcast:
“I’m not saying he was right, Lewis was wrong.”
But Hamilton could have protected his own position by making the corner. Instead, both drivers compromised their exits.
“Hamilton would NOT have lost position (P2) to Verstappen had he made the corner”
That’s an important part of the story.
Should Charles Have Gift-Wrapped the Lead?
Hamilton’s argument is that Leclerc should have protected Ferrari’s one-two.
But protected it how, exactly?
Once Verstappen became involved between the Ferraris, handing the position back wasn’t necessarily going to restore a Ferrari one-two. It could have benefited Max instead.
And overtaking in Mexico was hardly straightforward.
We saw Norris struggling to pass Leclerc despite Charles nursing a heavily flat-spotted tyre. Hamilton couldn’t get alongside Verstappen despite having overtaking assistance available.
Track position was precious.
So Leclerc saw his chance and went for it.
On the podcast, I described his decision as:
“Full racing driver instinct on.”
Isn’t that what we want from a racing driver?
I praised Leclerc’s audacious move on Verstappen in Austin. Why celebrate that aggression against Max but criticise it when the car alongside belongs to Lewis?
And the question I keep coming back to: would Hamilton have backed out if the positions were reversed?
I doubt it!
Ferrari Had a Decision to Make
There’s another part of this controversy that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Leclerc asked Ferrari what he should do after the incident. With Verstappen involved, this wasn’t a straightforward teammate position swap. Leclerc giving up the lead would have meant a Ferrari 2-3.
Ferrari needed to provide clarity.
Instead, the uncertainty continued.
As I put it on the podcast:
“Ferrari’s inability to act actually cost them as well.”
If Ferrari wants its drivers to follow particular rules of engagement, those rules need to be understood before they arrive at Turn 4 together.
Not invented halfway through the opening lap!
Does Hamilton Expect Ferrari to Favour Him?
Here’s the bigger question.
Hamilton was still mathematically in the championship fight in Mexico. But does that automatically mean Ferrari should prioritise him?
Seven World Championships deserve respect. Absolutely.
But Leclerc isn’t at Ferrari to be Hamilton’s wingman. Hamilton’s title chances weren’t lost in Mexico, but in the many races leading up to it.
My interpretation of Lewis’s reaction is that he wants greater preference within the team. Whether Ferrari is prepared to give it to him is another matter.
And perhaps that’s a bigger story for 2027.
For me, Mexico was old-school racing aggression, made messier by Ferrari’s indecision and amplified by the personalities involved.
Hamilton wanted Leclerc to protect a Ferrari one-two.
Leclerc wanted to win the Grand Prix.
And if Lewis had been in Charles’s position, would he really have done anything different?
After all, hasn’t Verstappen taught him a thing or two?
I analysed the Mexico City Grand Prix for Viaplay and discussed the Hamilton–Leclerc battle with Soumil Arora on the Inside Line F1 Podcast.
