Ought to Charles Leclerc have let Lewis Hamilton move after the first-corner conflict on the Mexican GP?
Did Charles Leclerc have to provide again the place to Lewis Hamilton after the contact on the first nook of the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix? The scenario appears fairly clear, in line with latest evaluation.
The Monegasque Ferrari driver reduce nook 1 alongside Max Verstappen, however on the apex, Lewis Hamilton was forward. This incident induced appreciable confusion, leaving many followers and commentators questioning whether or not Charles Leclerc ought to have returned the place instantly after the conflict. Here’s a clear evaluation of the scenario.
Hamilton’s race was closely influenced by the opening-lap battles. Leclerc, after working straight and solely yielding the place to Lando Norris later, successfully compromised his teammate’s race. On the apex, Hamilton was forward, that means he ought to have retained second place—however Charles Leclerc stayed in entrance. Lewis Hamilton repeatedly known as over the radio to have the place restored. This sequence finally led to his combat with Verstappen, throughout which he reduce the chicane at turns 4 and 5, receiving a time penalty for the benefit gained. Matteo Bobbi, Sky Sport F1 analyst, has no doubts about what occurred at the beginning.
Bobbi: “This was not solely truthful”
Bobbi said: “Leclerc’s begin was not sensible, after which within the three-way tussle, he closed in on Hamilton and moved in direction of Verstappen, who had no selection however to brake exhausting on the curb. Charles and Lewis made contact, however at that time Hamilton had the higher line, barely forward on the apex. When Leclerc reduce flip 2, he might have simply realigned with Lewis as an alternative of staying in entrance. He let Norris move, however not Lewis, and this was not solely truthful. I totally perceive his nervousness. It’s a borderline scenario, however Lewis was proper to hunt readability. In such a tense race, even a small element like this could change the whole lot.” – the Sky Sport analyst identified on the finish of the Mexican Grand Prix.
Staff dynamics and season implications
Unsurprisingly, Lewis Hamilton additionally expressed his frustration with a number of FIA selections. As Matteo Bobbi typically notes, the teammate is the primary actual competitor. On this occasion, Charles Leclerc performed it good, understanding that in System 1, if you wish to obtain one thing, you generally need to take it by power. The Monegasque is totally conscious of who he’s competing in opposition to, and securing his seventh podium of the season helps reinforce his management standing heading into 2026. It ought to be famous that solely now’s Hamilton starting to shut the hole to his Ferrari teammate, so it can’t be mentioned that his season has totally met expectations.
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