Charles Leclerc aims subtle dig at Lewis Hamilton in first message since Mexico City GP controversy
Charles Leclerc has aimed what could be perceived to be a subtle dig at Lewis Hamilton in his first message since the Ferrari controversy at the Mexico City GP.
Having took pole position in qualifying, Hamilton finished second to Max Verstappen in Mexico City, with Kimi Antonelli taking the final podium position to become the youngest F1 world champion in history aged 20.
But the Ferrari pair were involved in a major incident on the track at Turn 4 on the opening lap, with Leclerc given a five-second penalty for passing Hamilton off-track.
The Monegasque did not hand the place back to his Scuderia colleague and Hamilton was furious on team radio, claiming he "got pushed out by my own teammate".
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Leclerc, who ended up finishing in fourth position, admitted the penalty was "deserved".
Charles Leclerc's first message on Instagram since Lewis Hamilton Mexico City GP incident
Speaking afterwards, an angry Hamilton claimed that Leclerc's antics ultimately cost the team a victory at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez as he accused Leclerc of “working against” him.
He stated: "The guy's 28 years old, so I don't think it's an age thing. I think it's a mentality thing. It's like 'do or die. Like either I win or none of us do', and it shouldn't be that.
"It should be us getting that one-two because it's still a good feeling."
Hamilton said they would take things "offline" and talk about the situation despite acknowledging it "won't be easy".
Leclerc explained why he refused to give the lead back in his post-race media duties, but his first comment on Instagram was a congratulatory message to history-maker Antonelli, who won the championship with four races remaining.
However, he did also reference his team looking to mount a challenge next year with his final sentence.
READ MORE: Nico Rosberg leaves Sky Sports panel speechless with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc claim
On Instagram, Leclerc commented: "What a year @kimi.antonelli faultless from the beginning to the end. So well deserved and very happy for you.
"We’ll work hard to make it a bit harder for you next year."
What Fred Vasseur said after incident between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was livid with how the race played out for his team, claiming that there was a "lack of respect" shown, as he said he was "struggling to swallow" throwing a victory.
Speaking to Canal+, he fumed: “I’m struggling to swallow it because, honestly, I think it’s a lack of respect, a lack of respect for the brand, a lack of respect for all the people working here and for the efforts we’re putting in," he said.
“We’ve taken a real step forward in terms of performance, and I think throwing away a win like that is tough.”
Vasseur added: "They are not working for themselves. They are working for a group. They are working for a lot of sponsors. They are working for the 2,000 people of the company."
Ferrari are second in the constructors' standings, 126 points behind Mercedes going into the Brazilian Grand Prix, which takes place at Autódromo José Carlos Pace next weekend.
Topics: Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton
Josh Lawless