Nico Rosberg delivered one of the most uncomfortable moments of Sky Sports’ Mexican Grand Prix coverage after challenging the criticism directed at Charles Leclerc following his controversial battle with Lewis Hamilton. The former Mercedes world champion questioned why the Ferrari teammate was repeatedly being blamed whenever the two drivers found themselves involved in an on-track disagreement, leaving his fellow pundits with little to say.
The incident happened during a dramatic Mexican Grand Prix in which Hamilton started from pole position but eventually finished second behind Max Verstappen. Kimi Antonelli secured third place, a result that confirmed his historic 2026 world championship triumph. However, the biggest talking point surrounding Ferrari was the collision of interests between its two drivers at Turn 4, where Leclerc was handed a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage after going off the track.
ROSBERG QUESTIONS WHY LECLERC ALWAYS GETS THE BLAME
Hamilton was visibly frustrated during the race, telling Ferrari over team radio: “Got pushed out by my own teammate.” The British driver believed Leclerc’s move had compromised his race, while the stewards eventually imposed a five-second penalty on the Monegasque.
Rosberg, however, was not convinced that the criticism surrounding Leclerc was entirely fair. When asked whether Ferrari could find a way forward after the latest disagreement, the 2016 world champion made a pointed observation.
“Interestingly, it’s always Charles’ fault, isn’t it? It’s never Lewis’s fault. In the last couple of times, in Monza it was Charles, here it was Charles,” Rosberg said.
The comment immediately created an awkward moment during the Sky Sports discussion, with the other members of the panel appearing reluctant to challenge his observation. Rosberg’s intervention was particularly significant because he was not simply defending Leclerc’s driving. He was questioning the narrative developing around Hamilton and his teammate.
ROSBERG CHANGES HIS MIND AFTER REASSESSING THE INCIDENT
The former Mercedes driver initially appeared to believe Leclerc had legitimate grounds to challenge Hamilton. He suggested that the Monegasque was ahead entering the corner and should have been allowed to maintain his position.
However, after considering how the move developed through Turns 1 and 2, Rosberg began to question Leclerc’s execution.
“Leclerc was a bit too aggressive there [at Turns 1 and 2], I’d have to say,” he explained.
Rosberg then pointed out that Leclerc had gained his position by braking extremely late on the outside, making the situation more complicated than it initially appeared.
His final verdict was clear: Leclerc deserved a five-second penalty.
“My final verdict is that Leclerc would deserve to lose a bit of race time and probably get a five-second penalty. I’ve changed my mind! I think I would go for that now,” Rosberg admitted.
He also rejected the suggestion that a 10-second penalty would have been appropriate, arguing that Hamilton had also gone off track during the incident. In his view, five seconds represented the fairest punishment.
HAMILTON AND LECLERC’S DISAGREEMENT IS BECOMING A FERRARI PROBLEM
The Mexican Grand Prix dispute is becoming increasingly difficult for Ferrari to ignore. Hamilton has already accused Leclerc of “working against” him, while team principal Fred Vasseur publicly criticised both drivers for showing a lack of respect towards the Ferrari brand and the people working behind the scenes.
Hamilton believes Ferrari could have achieved a much stronger result if the two drivers had managed their battle differently. Instead, the team lost an opportunity to secure a major victory and valuable championship points.
The British driver has also called for serious conversations within the team, suggesting that the current situation cannot continue without consequences. His frustration goes beyond one corner or one penalty. It reflects a wider concern about how Ferrari expects its drivers to cooperate when both are fighting for important positions.
Leclerc, meanwhile, has acknowledged that the penalty was deserved in the circumstances. He explained that both drivers missed Turn 4, that he remained ahead, and that he asked the team what he should do before keeping the position.
Rosberg’s comments introduce another dimension to the controversy. While Hamilton’s frustration is understandable, Ferrari cannot allow every disagreement to become a situation in which one driver is automatically treated as the guilty party. Both drivers must be judged according to the circumstances of each incident.
ROSBERG’S HISTORY WITH HAMILTON MAKES HIS COMMENTS MORE INTERESTING
Rosberg’s intervention carries additional weight because of his history with Hamilton. The two were Mercedes teammates during one of Formula 1’s most intense internal rivalries, with their relationship deteriorating as they fought for championships.
Rosberg eventually defeated Hamilton to win the 2016 world championship before retiring from Formula 1. Having experienced the pressure of competing against a teammate at the highest level, he understands how quickly internal competition can damage a team’s atmosphere.
That experience may explain why he was unwilling to accept a one-sided interpretation of the Ferrari situation. His criticism does not necessarily mean Hamilton was wrong to feel frustrated, but it does highlight the danger of allowing a rivalry to turn every racing incident into a personal accusation.
Ferrari must now find a way to manage the relationship before the disagreement affects more races. With Hamilton and Leclerc both capable of fighting for major results, the team needs clear expectations about racing room, communication and cooperation.
FERRARI FACES ANOTHER TEST AHEAD OF THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
The championship standings make the situation even more important. Antonelli leads with 380 points, while Verstappen sits second on 261. Hamilton is third with 259, just two points behind the Red Bull driver, while Leclerc occupies fifth place with 245.
Hamilton remains firmly involved in the fight for second in the drivers’ championship, and Ferrari still has important work to do in the constructors’ standings. Every lost opportunity could become significant as the season approaches its final races.
The next round in Brazil on November 8 will provide Ferrari with an immediate opportunity to demonstrate whether the Mexico controversy has been addressed. The team cannot afford to let internal disagreements repeatedly undermine its race strategy.
Rosberg’s comments may have made the Sky Sports panel uncomfortable, but they raised an important question about fairness and accountability inside Ferrari. Hamilton deserves to have his concerns heard, but Leclerc should not automatically carry the blame every time the two drivers clash.
Ferrari needs both drivers working towards the same objective. If the team cannot establish that balance, its biggest obstacle may not be Mercedes or Red Bull, but the rivalry developing inside its own garage.
