Leclerc will not revisit Mexico incident: I don’t think we should be speaking about it

Ferrari had to postpone dealing with the incident in Mexico until Brazil. Charles Leclerc had to make an unscheduled flight home after the weekend to be there for the greatest victory of his life – the birth of his daughter Bianca. His discussion with team principal Frédéric Vasseur and team-mate Lewis Hamilton was therefore pushed back to Brazil, but its outcome left many disappointed.

Ferrari came under intense pressure this week. The team could easily have celebrated a one-two finish in Mexico, but a senseless move by Charles Leclerc that was never going to work ruined everything. As this was not the first time, many expected Vasseur to change tack. Initial reports of the outcome of the discussions, however, left many disappointed.

If reports from behind the scenes are to be believed, Ferrari essentially only stressed that nobody is bigger than the team, with no penalties or changes in policy forthcoming. The Scuderia continues to have two number one drivers and is trying to score as many points as possible in the Constructors’ Championship. Lewis Hamilton’s camp in particular, however, had expected a much tougher response, and the seven-time champion did not look happy.

Leclerc played down the whole affair. Nothing could dampen his joy after the birth of his daughter. “I think it was really good to just discuss everything together,” Charles said of the three-way discussion. “Obviously, for me, it’s been a bit of a crazy week, but in a positive way because I became a father for the first time.”

“So we didn’t necessarily have time to discuss things. I think talking things through helps resolve whatever issues or frustrations remain, and that was needed,” said the Monegasque driver.

He then made it clear that he had drawn a line under the incident in Mexico. “Now I feel it’s fully settled, and I don’t think we should be speaking about it too much going forward,” said Leclerc.

Both he and Ferrari are clearly keen to draw a line under the whole affair. Hamilton, however, continued his media offensive when speaking to reporters on Thursday, reiterating his view from Mexico that Charles races his team-mate much harder than he does other drivers. Leclerc, however, did not respond to any of those comments.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of things, probably too much things in the last week we’ve spoken. I think everything is settled and I’m looking forward for the rest of the weekend now,” said the Monegasque.