Lewis Hamilton is set to take part in an important Ferrari meeting on Friday in Sao Paulo, following the collision with teammate Charles Leclerc at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur will speak with both drivers today after the incident at Turn 4, where Hamilton was leading when Leclerc attempted an ambitious overtake. Both drivers braked at the last minute, with Leclerc moving ahead but being forced off track as Max Verstappen slipped through the gap that emerged. Leclerc was ordered to hand the place back to the Red Bull driver, who went on to win the race. Hamilton finished second and Leclerc fourth.
Vasseur calls sit-down after radio row
Following the race, Hamilton demanded serious talks, and Vasseur has now arranged a sit-down meeting with both drivers, according to The Race. The 58-year-old Frenchman has already spoken to each driver individually after his public comments suggested there was "a lack of respect" from the pair for all of Ferrari's employees.
Asked about that on Thursday, Hamilton gave a clear response: "I think my respect has always been the highest for my team. We have so many people working so hard back at the factory – that's why I'm always praising them. That's why I'm always trying to show my appreciation for them and do my absolute utmost to help push the team forward. I feel like I've been a big part of where we are today as a team, which is positive."
Hamilton defends radio comments
Hamilton has faced criticism for what he said over the Ferrari team radio during the race and from clips that have since emerged. The 41-year-old said he had seen the complaints and dismissed the suggestion that his comments were calculated.
He said: "I did see something that someone was saying that the things that I'm saying are calculated, and I just want to combat that with the fact that when you're in the race, your heart rate is like 170 [beats per minute]. You're driving 200 miles an hour. You don't have time to be calculated in what you're saying and thinking about what the media are going to write about, you don't think about that."
He added: "Of course, there's some times you say things and maybe you might regret it afterwards, but I don't, and I'm never going to apologise for being authentic and real. I'm not going to be silenced. I have never ever been silenced. I have not been asked to not say anything [by the team], and that's just the way it is."
Leclerc expects talks in Brazil
Leclerc has been back in Europe following the birth of his first child, Bianca, with his wife Alexandra, but revealed he wanted to hold talks with Hamilton after the incident.
"We will talk about it, obviously," Leclerc said. "I don't know if he was very unhappy with what I did, because I felt like what he did was very much on the limit as well. I think he was maybe more angry with the whole situation, how the situation was dealt with in Turns 4 and 5 with the penalty, etc. So this is something we'll talk about for sure."
The Monegasque is still expected to race in Sao Paulo and could arrive late, but seemingly with plenty of time to hold talks in the Ferrari camp.
