The tension within the Scuderia Ferrari garage remains a hot topic as the Brazilian GP weekend kicks off at Interlagos. One week after their dramatic first-lap clash at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton insists that further clear-the-air talks are urgently needed to protect the team's championship ambitions from self-inflicted damage.
The flashpoint occurred on the opening lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when both Ferrari chargers ran off the track at Turn 4. That costly miscue handed Max Verstappen a golden opportunity to snatch the race victory, robbing the Italian outfit of a probable one-two finish as the teammates ultimately crossed the line in second and fourth places.
Hamilton was incensed by how aggressively his teammate raced him on lap one, especially after the Monegasque driver kept the position by cutting the corner at Turn 4. The subsequent five-second penalty fueled a wider narrative suggesting that the seven-time race winner's garage-mate often deploys a much fiercer defensive and offensive stance against his teammate than when battling drivers from rival constructors.
When asked if he had noticed a distinct pattern, the British racing icon did not mince words. "Yes. I see what you see. In Singapore, he was fully on the inside into Turn 1, he had won the lead, and he backed off. It was definitely different," he told Autosport, noting historical parallels with former teammates like Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.
Team principal Fred Vasseur has already held separate brief discussions with both drivers, reportedly unimpressed by how the Mexico incident reflected on the dedication of the team's factory workforce. With discussions temporarily paused due to travel and family milestones, Hamilton welcomed the prospect of a comprehensive sit-down meeting in Sao Paulo on Friday.
"Naturally I was frustrated, and I'm still frustrated," Hamilton admitted when reflecting on the cooling-off period. "So, conversations need to be had. We will have those when the time permits. We had an opportunity to win for the team. The team has done such an amazing job in bringing upgrades this year. We could have easily had a one-two, so we definitely have to work towards making sure that doesn't happen again."
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