Ferrari F1 chief Fred Vasseur says he has cleared the air with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton after their Mexican Grand Prix clash. On lap one in Mexico City both drivers went off‑track while battling for the lead, costing the team a possible third win of the season. Max Verstappen won the race, with Hamilton second and Leclerc fourth.
Hamilton was furious that Leclerc cut the track, urging stewards for a larger penalty. The seven‑time champion demanded talks with his teammate and Vasseur over the intensity of the rivalry. Vasseur, frustrated by the perceived lack of respect for Maranello’s 2,000‑strong staff, held a meeting Thursday night in Sao Paulo. He stressed that Ferrari must always come first.
Speaking publicly, Vasseur said the message to both drivers is clear: they are competitors but must respect each other and the brand, the team and the people working at home and on track. He noted Leclerc’s aggressive overtake on Verstappen in Austin was “magic” and that the line between the two is fine. He added that the failure to win the race when both were first and second means Ferrari must react.
The meeting’s conclusion was a reminder that the Ferrari brand, employees and Tifosi come first, and that must stay at the forefront.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing