Lewis Hamilton has delivered a pointed message following Ferrari’s missed opportunity to win the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, describing the outcome as extremely frustrating and insisting that teammate battles must never come at the expense of the team. In a lengthy Instagram statement, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion reflected on the controversial race, reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari and congratulated newly crowned world champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Lewis Hamilton congratulates Kimi Antonelli on historic F1 title
As has become his custom after every Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton published a post on Instagram on Monday evening, sharing his thoughts on the Mexico City race weekend. His first priority was to pay a gracious tribute to new Formula 1 world champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“First of all, I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the new champion, Kimi Antonelli. Having followed your journey so closely and being there to celebrate with you was one of the highlights of my year,” the Ferrari driver wrote.
“A thoroughly deserved achievement, with a record that will remain unbeaten for a very long time. It was fantastic to see your team, Mercedes, celebrating alongside you. Enjoy this moment, stay close to your family and always hold on to your passion and energy.”
The message reflected Lewis Hamilton’s admiration for the Italian’s achievement, even as the British driver was coming to terms with his own disappointing outcome in Mexico. Andrea Kimi Antonelli had secured the world championship in only his second Formula 1 season, making the weekend an extraordinary occasion for Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton admits frustration over Ferrari’s lost Mexico GP victory
After congratulating the new champion, Lewis Hamilton turned his attention to Ferrari and the controversial outcome of the race, which saw him cross the finish line in second place behind Max Verstappen.
Despite finishing on the podium, the result left a bitter taste. At Turn 1, the two Ferrari SF-26 cars had been leading the race, with Lewis Hamilton ahead of Charles Leclerc. However, the now-infamous incident at Turn 4 transformed the competitive picture and put Max Verstappen in a position to win.
On Sunday evening, following the Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton had already attributed the loss of his victory opportunity to Charles Leclerc’s actions. Although the British driver did not mention his Monegasque teammate by name in his Instagram statement, his reflections appeared to follow the same line of reasoning.
“As for us, it was a weekend full of challenges,” Lewis Hamilton wrote. “We had to deal with numerous unexpected setbacks, but our mechanics and engineers did an incredible job. We’ve grown so much together this year, progress that has required an enormous commitment from everyone, both at the track and at the factory.”
“That’s why it hurts so much to have lost what could have been a victory. We have to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way. It’s an extremely frustrating situation, there’s no denying it.”
Lewis Hamilton sends pointed message about Ferrari teammate battles
Lewis Hamilton then delivered what appeared to be a pointed message to Charles Leclerc, although he stopped short of explicitly naming his teammate. His comments also seemed to underline the standards and responsibilities he believes should define Ferrari’s approach to racing.
“I know very well what it takes to create the conditions for such opportunities,” the seven-time world champion continued. “The standards the team sets for itself, those I demand of myself, and those the fans expect from us: everyone deserves to see us at our very best and to see us winning.”
“We’re here to race, and we want to win. Fighting is necessary, but when a battle ends up hurting the team, we have to be honest and learn from our mistakes. We can push each other to the limit while still honouring the responsibility we have towards everyone who has made it possible for us to race.”
The remarks carried particular weight following the controversial opening-lap confrontation between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The British driver acknowledged that competition between teammates is necessary, but stressed that such battles must not undermine the collective effort behind Ferrari’s performance.
His message also reflected the wider concerns he raised about Ferrari’s handling of the Mexico GP incident, particularly the need to protect the team’s interests when both drivers are competing for victory.
Lewis Hamilton reaffirms Ferrari commitment despite Mexico GP disappointment
Despite the frustration surrounding the missed victory, Lewis Hamilton concluded his Instagram statement on an optimistic note, making clear that his belief in Ferrari remains unchanged.
“I will continue to give everything I have. My belief in this team remains unchanged, as does my commitment to helping get things back on track,” he concluded.
“Keep supporting us: my journey with this team has only just begun, and the best is yet to come.”
The closing message offered reassurance to Ferrari supporters after a weekend that had combined encouraging performance with a painful missed opportunity. Lewis Hamilton remains determined to help the Scuderia turn its progress into victories, while insisting that the team must be willing to learn when internal battles compromise its chances.
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