Lewis Hamilton expressed his frustration with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc following their opening-lap battle at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, as Formula 1 stewards launched an investigation into the incident. The seven-time world champion complained over team radio that he had been pushed out by his own teammate, adding another complication to Ferrari’s dramatic start to the race.
Despite the investigation, Leclerc remained in the lead as the field began lap four of the 71-lap Grand Prix. The Monegasque held an advantage of 0.8 seconds over Max Verstappen, with Hamilton running third and closely following the Red Bull driver. Ferrari therefore remained in a strong position on track, but the possibility of a stewards’ decision created uncertainty over the leading positions.
Lewis Hamilton frustrated with Charles Leclerc after Mexico GP opening-lap battle
The controversy followed an intense first-lap fight between the two Ferrari drivers, who had started the race from first and third on the grid. Hamilton initially maintained his pole-position advantage after making a strong getaway, while Leclerc moved ahead of George Russell following the Mercedes driver’s difficult start.
The Ferrari teammates ran side by side through the opening corners, with Hamilton narrowly holding the lead during their initial exchange. However, Leclerc subsequently moved ahead at Turn 4 after their battle took him across the grass.
Hamilton lost momentum during the sequence, allowing Verstappen to capitalise and move into second position. The British driver consequently dropped from pole position to third during the opening lap, while his teammate emerged at the front.
The incident prompted an immediate reaction from Hamilton over Ferrari team radio.
“Pushed out by my own team mate.”
The brief message made clear the seven-time world champion’s dissatisfaction with how the opening-lap confrontation had unfolded. Having started from pole position, Hamilton had lost two places within the opening sequence, including the lead to the other Ferrari.
Ferrari Mexico GP incident investigated by Formula 1 stewards
By lap three, the stewards had confirmed an investigation into the first-lap incident involving Hamilton and Leclerc. The development introduced the possibility of further consequences for Ferrari, although no decision or penalty had been announced at that stage.
The investigation was particularly significant because Leclerc had already established himself as the race leader. Any decision requiring the Monegasque to surrender a position could potentially benefit Verstappen, who had moved between the Ferrari drivers following the opening-lap exchanges.
Such an outcome would complicate the situation for the Maranello team, which had entered the race with an excellent opportunity after securing pole position with Hamilton and third place with Leclerc.
However, an investigation does not automatically mean that a driver has committed an infringement. The stewards’ assessment and any subsequent decision remained outstanding as the race continued.
Charles Leclerc maintains Mexico GP lead ahead of Max Verstappen
While the stewards examined the incident, Leclerc continued to control the race from the front. At the beginning of lap four, the Ferrari driver led Verstappen by eight tenths of a second, with Hamilton running immediately behind the Red Bull.
The narrow gaps kept all three drivers closely involved in the fight at the front, even as the investigation created uncertainty around the opening-lap manoeuvre.
For Ferrari, the immediate priority was to maintain its competitive position while awaiting the stewards’ findings. Leclerc had successfully converted third on the grid into the race lead, but Hamilton’s radio complaint highlighted the tension created by their first-lap battle.
With Verstappen separating the two Ferrari drivers and the investigation still ongoing, the opening stages of the Mexico City Grand Prix had already produced a complicated scenario for the Scuderia. The stewards’ eventual decision could become important to how the fight for the lead developed.
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