Former Ferrari and Williams team member Peter Windsor has launched a scathing attack on Charles Leclerc, accusing the Monegasque of being an unsporting driver while describing Lewis Hamilton’s complaints about his Ferrari teammate as ridiculous. The British Formula 1 journalist also criticised team principal Fred Vasseur and Ferrari’s apparent inability to anticipate problems and limit the damage when tensions arise between their drivers.
Speaking on the Cameron CC podcast, Peter Windsor offered an uncompromising assessment of the growing rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Rather than siding with either driver, he questioned the behaviour of the Monegasque and the timing of the seven-time world champion’s complaints, while also highlighting shortcomings in Ferrari’s management of difficult situations.
Peter Windsor accuses Charles Leclerc of unsporting driving
Peter Windsor, whose long career in Formula 1 has included spells working with Williams and Ferrari, believes Lewis Hamilton is mistaken in suggesting that Charles Leclerc races him more aggressively than other competitors.
The British journalist pointed to Charles Leclerc’s incident involving Liam Lawson at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix as an example of why he considers the Ferrari driver’s aggressive approach to racing nothing new.
“I think Lewis Hamilton is clearly wrong when he says Charles Leclerc is tougher on him than he is on other drivers. Just look at what he did with Liam Lawson in Brazil, for example. Charles Leclerc has always been an unsporting driver and always will be. And everyone knew that, except, apparently, Lewis Hamilton. When he signed for Ferrari, did he think Charles Leclerc would drive like him and never do anything unsporting?”
Peter Windsor’s assessment was particularly severe, as he presented Charles Leclerc’s driving style as something Lewis Hamilton should already have understood before joining the Italian team.
His criticism comes amid renewed scrutiny of the internal rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, with the relationship between the two Ferrari drivers attracting considerable attention.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari complaints described as ridiculous
However, Peter Windsor was equally critical of Lewis Hamilton, arguing that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion should have raised concerns about Charles Leclerc’s racing behaviour much earlier.
In his view, the British driver had the opportunity to address the issue immediately after signing his Ferrari contract, rather than waiting until tensions had already developed between the teammates.
“He should have said those things the day after signing his contract with Ferrari. If he had said it then, it would have made perfect sense, but saying it now makes no sense. I find it absolutely ridiculous. We knew what Charles Leclerc was like, and Lewis Hamilton should have known too.”
The journalist’s argument centres on the timing of Lewis Hamilton’s criticism rather than simply the legitimacy of his concerns. Peter Windsor believes the Ferrari driver should have anticipated the challenges of racing alongside Charles Leclerc instead of expressing frustration after the rivalry had intensified.
The disagreement has also prompted wider discussion about how the two drivers approach their internal competition, with Lewis Hamilton’s psychological experience in his Ferrari battle with Charles Leclerc becoming another subject of analysis.
For supporters interested in how the rivalry has unfolded on track, the Charles Leclerc versus Lewis Hamilton F1 head-to-head statistics provide a detailed comparison of the two drivers’ performances throughout the season.
Peter Windsor questions Fred Vasseur and Ferrari’s ability to limit damage
Peter Windsor’s criticism extended beyond the drivers to Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, whom he also held responsible for the team’s handling of potentially difficult situations.
Referring to the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix, the British journalist argued that Ferrari should have anticipated the problems that might arise rather than reacting only after events had unfolded.
“In Mexico, all that could have been done was to anticipate the things that might go wrong. But that is precisely what Ferrari seem unable to do well: anticipate problems and limit the damage. I think it is pointless for Lewis Hamilton to say all those things because it is already too late.”
His remarks suggest that, in his opinion, Ferrari’s difficulties are not limited to the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. They also reflect a broader problem with how the team prepares for potentially contentious situations and manages the consequences.
That criticism is particularly relevant following the recent controversy surrounding the two drivers, although Fred Vasseur has explained how Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc resolved their differences.
For Peter Windsor, the central issue remains Ferrari’s apparent failure to anticipate conflict before it becomes a problem. His assessment leaves both drivers facing criticism, while placing additional scrutiny on the leadership of the Maranello team.
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