LEWIS HAMILTON and Charles Leclerc were caught on camera having a private chat after the thrilling US Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion, 37, was in the lead in the closing stages of the race before fierce rival Max Verstappen surged past him with just six laps to go.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were overheard holding a private conversation after the US Grand Prix
Hamilton’s dogged performance in his Mercedes gave him a chance of victory but it eluded him in the end
The nail-biting race had an unpredictable ending as safety cars and botched pit stops left the Grand Prix in the balance.
Hamilton, who hasn’t won a race all season, looked set for victory before being caught by his old title rival.
After the race he told Leclerc, who finished third, how much he was pushing for the win.
And Sky Sports cameras picked up their conversation in the cool down room.
Hamilton said: “I tried so hard to stay ahead and beat him.”
Leclerc then asked about his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz, who was tapped and spun off the road by Hamilton’s pal George Russell.
The Monegasque racer said: “What happened to Carlos [Sainz]?”
Hamilton responds bluntly: “George [Russell] took him out.”
Their collision was the first act of an entertaining race in Austin.
Sainz took a superb pole on Saturday but his hard work came to nothing when Verstappen took the lead through the first corner – and was then tapped by Russell.
The spin was enough to force the Spaniard to retire.
Multiple safety cars then raced onto the scene to recover Valtteri Bottas‘ beached Alfa Romeo after the Finn spun off track.
Only a few laps after the restart, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso were involved in a terrifying crash, with the race again grinding to a halt.
A botched pit stop on Verstappen’s car then saw Hamilton take the lead.
But the Red Bull driver – who was crowned this season’s champion earlier this month – passed Leclerc and then his Brit rival for victory.
Hamilton has since praised his team for their efforts after a difficult season.
