Lewis Hamilton addresses explosive Ferrari 'lack of respect' comments

Lewis Hamilton has responded to Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur's remark that his first-lap clash with Charles Leclerc at the Mexico City Grand Prix represented a "lack of respect" for Ferrari and all those the Scuderia employs.

Hamilton insists that he has always held his team in the utmost regard, after the incendiary interview from his boss to French broadcaster Canal+ at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Vasseur could not conceal his anger after the Ferrari team-mates threw away a golden opportunity to take victory, and perhaps even a 1-2 finish, last weekend.

Having emerged from the opening sequence of corners in first and second, Leclerc attacked Hamilton into Turn 4 when disaster struck.

The consequences are already well-trodden ground, and in the aftermath Hamilton was adamant that "serious" conversations needed to be had at the Italian team.

However, talking to media, including RacingNews365, ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the seven-time F1 drivers' champion confirmed those discussions have yet to take place, likely in large part due to Leclerc having returned to Europe for the birth of his daughter.

"Well, we haven't really had the time to speak much in depth," Hamilton said. "We have spoken, and I fully understand my responsibility to the 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, and I feel like I've been a big part of where we are today as a team, which is positive."

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Hamilton's response to Vasseur

At the time, Vasseur said: "I'm struggling to swallow it because, honestly, I think it's a lack of respect, a lack of respect for the brand, a lack of respect for all the people working here and for the efforts we're putting in.

"We've taken a real step forward in terms of performance, and I think throwing away a win like that is tough."

When asked if Leclerc, who was the aggressor by virtue of being in second place at the time, was the target, Vasseur had denied that was the case, adding: "No, no, I didn't target anyone; I want to talk with them.

"Lewis was running very wide too, but look, I think we also need to keep in mind that we represent a brand, we represent sponsors, we've got 2,000 people working behind us who aren't just racing for the sake of racing; they're racing for the whole team."

Asked whether he accepted Vassuer's displeasure and inflammatory comments, Hamilton simply replied: "I think my respect has always been the highest for my team."