Lewis Hamilton has called for greater consistency in Formula One penalty decisions following his battle with Charles Leclerc at the Italian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver felt Leclerc had not left him enough space during a key overtaking attempt at the Roggia chicane, but the Ferrari driver received only a warning from the stewards.
Hamilton, who finished second, said he had to back out of the move to avoid a collision. “We’ve just constantly asked for consistency,” he said. “There was a rule put in place, and then it wasn’t abided by today. They used different consequences for the rule today.” He added that he might speak privately with Leclerc about the incident.
Leclerc, who secured his second win for Ferrari, defended his driving. He cited his earlier defeat to Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix, where a similar move was allowed, as influencing his approach. “I think since Austria it is clear you can go a bit further in the way we defend and overtake,” he said.
Hamilton acknowledged Leclerc’s performance and said he would adjust his own driving accordingly. “He did a fantastic job today. I put on as much pressure as I could,” he said. “We had a couple of close moments, I think we can probably talk about it in private together, but there’s nothing major.”
