New Delhi, November 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Charles Leclerc has accepted responsibility for retaining his position ahead of Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton after both drivers ran off track during an opening-lap battle at the Mexico City Grand Prix, conceding that the five-second penalty he received was justified.
Leclerc finished fourth at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday, while Hamilton claimed second place behind race winner Max Verstappen.
The controversy unfolded at Turn 4, where the Ferrari teammates ran wide while contesting the lead. Leclerc cut across the grass but emerged ahead and chose to retain his position as Verstappen moved past Hamilton. The stewards subsequently imposed a five-second penalty on the Monegasque driver.
“The penalty was deserved in a way. The thing is that it was a bit confusing because we both didn’t make Turn 4. Then I stayed ahead, and then Max got past Lewis. So yeah, then I asked what should I do? And I kept the position and took a deserved penalty,” Leclerc said after the race, according to Formula One.
The stewards imposed a five-second rather than the usual 10-second sanction, taking into account that Hamilton had also gone off track and that the incident happened on the opening lap.
Leclerc maintained that the battle had involved both drivers pushing each other, pointing to Hamilton’s move at Turn 1.
“I mean, I could also be unhappy with how much he pushed me off the track out of Turn 1. But I think it’s racing. When you are fighting for a win, it’s the way it should be,” he said.
Hamilton had voiced his frustration over team radio and later called for serious discussions within Ferrari, believing the incident had cost the team a possible one-two finish. Leclerc indicated he was prepared to discuss the matter with Hamilton and the team management.
Ferrari will look to settle the disagreement before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, scheduled for November 6-8. The Italian team currently holds a 124-point advantage over Red Bull in the fight for second place in the Constructors’ Championship.
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