Ferrari Formula 1 team boss Fred Vasseur has ordered Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to resolve their on-track rivalry after a summit meeting in Brazil. Vasseur convened a meeting with the two drivers to address recent clashes and ensure they prioritize the team's interests.
Leclerc and Hamilton engaged in a contentious on-track battle during the recent Mexico City Grand Prix, which resulted in Leclerc receiving a five-second penalty for cutting the corner and taking the lead from Hamilton. The incident allowed Max Verstappen to capitalize and eventually win the race, while Hamilton eventually passed Leclerc for second place.
Vasseur stated that the drivers have accumulated frustration due to their frequent side-by-side racing but emphasized the need for mutual respect. "The guidelines are always the same – they need to respect each other," Vasseur said. "But mainly and firstly, they need to respect the brand, the team, the people working at home, the people working on track."
Hamilton expressed frustration with Leclerc's aggressive driving, calling it a "mentality thing" and stating it "shouldn't be like that." Leclerc, in turn, indicated he would discuss the matter with Hamilton, suggesting that Hamilton's actions in pushing him off track at Turn One also constituted racing.
The meeting in Brazil took place ahead of the Grand Prix, with Vasseur aiming to put an end to the internal conflict. "It was good to discuss, good to clarify my position and their position," Vasseur added. "It was good to do, and now we turn the page, and we are focused on the next one."
The Ferrari team has been working to manage the dynamics between its high-profile drivers, especially as they continue to compete fiercely for performance on the track. The team boss stressed that the clear message to both drivers is to put individual interests behind the collective goals of the Ferrari team and its employees.