Charles Leclerc acknowledges Lewis Hamilton 'tension' in Ferrari supremacy fight

Charles Leclerc has admitted to “tension” between himself and Lewis Hamilton this year, which came to a head in Mexico City last week.

The pair battled for the lead on the opening lap but ran off the track to give an advantage to Max Verstappen, who went on to win the race.

Ahead of the following round in Sao Paulo, both drivers discussed the matter after Leclerc travelled to Interlagos following the birth of his first child.

Both drivers have insisted that the subject is a closed door as they look to enjoy a successful end to the year.

When asked how he felt the meeting went with Hamilton, Leclerc told media including RacingNews365: “From my perspective, I was very straightforward. 

“It was good to speak. This is always needed after a moment like this. It took proportions that are way too big, but it has been around for way too long. 

“At the same time, it was a very special week for me, so I couldn't really have those discussions before. 

“It was important to have those discussions, but now I consider that a closed chapter, and I think it would be important to look ahead.”

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Hamilton and Leclerc have been closely matched this year, a much different story compared to last year when Hamilton struggled to get up to speed at his new team.

The battle has generated “tension”, Leclerc admitted, but nothing that wasn't able to be ironed out by discussing such concerns. 

“I really believe that when we speak, things are much better straight away,” he said.

“Of course there is tension, of course, we want to finish ahead of each other.

“Sometimes we are not going to do things right. It's okay sometimes to disagree on the way you see things.

“But at the same time, discussing those [things] then helps a whole lot.”