Speaking at Interlagos before Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Hamilton said he remained frustrated that the two drivers and team principal Fred Vasseur had not yet been able to meet. Vasseur had returned to Italy between races, while Leclerc travelled to Monaco to be with his family following the birth of his first child.

“I was frustrated and I am still frustrated,” Hamilton said. “Conversations need to be had so we will have those when the time permits.”

Hamilton started from pole position in Mexico but finished second, while Leclerc was fourth. The pair tangled during an aggressive first lap, and Leclerc later passed Hamilton after running off track. Hamilton said Ferrari had missed an opportunity for a one-two finish.

“We could easily have had a one-two (in Mexico) so we definitely have to work towards making sure that it doesn't happen again,” Hamilton said.

He praised Ferrari’s work on upgrades and said the team had scored more points than any rival over the previous three or four races. But when asked whether Leclerc had raced him more aggressively than other drivers, Hamilton answered yes before declining to elaborate. He said such tensions had been seen in Ferrari’s previous driver pairings, mentioning Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.

Vasseur said that, with hindsight, he would have managed the team differently this year, but did not directly address the Mexico incident.

A milestone race at Interlagos

Hamilton’s next start will be his 400th Grand Prix. The 41-year-old said he hoped to mark the milestone with a victory, recalling that he won his 300th race start at the 2022 French Grand Prix, where he finished second behind Max Verstappen.

Interlagos holds particular significance for Hamilton. He won his first world title in Brazil in 2007, and has recorded three wins and seven podium finishes in 18 races there. He has also been made an honorary citizen of Brazil.

Source: France 24