Lewis Hamilton has fired a withering broadside at Charles Leclerc following Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix, insisting Ferrari threw away a certain 1-2 finish after his teammate’s opening-lap aggression sparked internal warfare that handed Max Verstappen victory on a silver platter.

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The seven-time champion didn’t mince words in his post-race assessment, demanding “serious off-line discussions” to resolve what’s rapidly becoming a civil war within the Scuderia.

Hamilton, who started from a record 105th pole position, was unequivocal in his criticism after finishing second behind Verstappen, who claimed his record-extending sixth Mexico victory after capitalising ruthlessly on Ferrari’s self-inflicted chaos.

“We could have finished first and second if we had worked as a team, but we lost it in the first few corners,” Hamilton said bluntly.

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What should have been Ferrari’s finest hour descended into acrimony from the moment the lights went out. Leclerc moved aggressively to pass Hamilton on the opening lap, running off-track at turn four in a move that earned him a five-second penalty and gifted Verstappen the opportunity to surge from fifth on the grid to overtake Hamilton for second.

Hamilton’s radio made his fury crystal clear. He demanded Leclerc hand the position back immediately, but the Monegasque ignored him as Ferrari’s pit wall dissolved into confusion. Team radio descended into what observers charitably described as “civil war,” with neither driver nor the team able to find common ground whilst racing at 300kph.

No pre-race discussions

Hamilton revealed Ferrari failed to establish clear racing protocols before the race.

“We didn’t sit down before to discuss this and it’s all very well to race your teammate, of course, but not if it’s to the detriment of the team,” Hamilton said. “We lost points today and that affects all the people back at the factory and they are the people who do all the hard work. It definitely needs some serious discussions and we’ll take it off-line to do that.”

Leclerc defends aggression

Leclerc, for his part, defended his opening-lap lunge.

“I saw a gap on the opening lap and I went for it,” the 29-year-old said, adding that both drivers braked late at turns four and five when he ran wide. “So then we both didn’t make the corner. It was a confusing situation.”

Leclerc admitted he tried discussing the incident with the team during the race and knew he might have to surrender the position. “For sure, Lewis must have hated the first few laps. So yes, we will discuss it.”

Vasseur backs Hamilton

Team principal Fred Vasseur didn’t hide his disappointment, backing Hamilton’s assessment whilst making clear the organisational cost of Leclerc’s decision.

“We had a 1-2 on the table and we lost the race so it hurts and feels bad,” Vasseur said. “It’s a matter of respect, for the brand, for our sponsors, for the team, for 2,000 people… For me, it is difficult to give up a win like that and I feel down.”