Fred Vasseur schedules meeting to resolve Hamilton and Leclerc tension

Vasseur faces driver tension

Fred Vasseur plans to sit Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc down this Friday in Brazil to address the opening-lap contact in Mexico. This clash cost Ferrari a potential victory or 1-2 finish, as Max Verstappen took the win while Hamilton finished second and Leclerc finished fourth after a five-second penalty. Hamilton had started the Mexico race from pole position, but the internal battle compromised the result. The SF-26 has recently regained competitiveness, allowing the team to score more points than any other team in the constructors’ championship over the last three races. Vasseur spoke to both drivers individually after the Mexico race, but a joint discussion was not possible earlier this weekend because Leclerc traveled to Monaco following the birth of his daughter, Bianca, with his wife Alexandra. Vasseur told Canal+ on Sunday evening that the battle in Mexico showed a "lack of respect" to the team’s employees. The meeting will avoid debating who was right or wrong in Mexico and instead focus on defining a principle that both drivers must respect when a Ferrari is in a position to win. This tension is heightened as Hamilton, used to a team built around him at Mercedes, finds himself alongside a driver who has been a cornerstone of the Scuderia since 2019.

Hamilton refuses to back down

Hamilton told reporters in Interlagos on Thursday that he has no intention of changing his interpretation of the events. He also stated he will not be silenced and will continue to be "authentically me." Hamilton argued that his driving style remains genuine, and he noted that his heart rate reaches 170 beats per minute while driving at 200 miles per hour, which prevents him from being calculating with his words. He also claimed that Leclerc races him harder than other drivers and cited an instance in Singapore where Leclerc backed off after winning the lead in Turn 1. He compared this to his experiences with former teammates Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. Hamilton also mentioned a practice session in Mexico where Isack Hadjar backed off on the racing line into Turn 1. Hamilton said he did not say anything about Hadjar, but if he had spoken, the team would have investigated and the driver would have received a penalty. "I don’t really care how everyone feels about what I’ve said," Hamilton added. He said he is always trying to show his appreciation for the team and will continue to push for changes, noting that his frustration often comes out toward the team bosses. He expressed that he would rather have had a 1-2 finish in Mexico.

Leadership pressure mounts

John Elkann reportedly feels irritation regarding the situation. This follows the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix when Elkann told drivers they must "focus on driving and talk less" after both Hamilton and Leclerc retired. While Hamilton says he and Elkann speak every week, reports suggest the frustration extends beyond the pit wall. Vasseur must manage the SF-26 to ensure the team does not turn a potential win into a missed opportunity while ensuring the 2026 season’s closing stages and the 2027 championship ambitions do not suffer from internal battles. The drivers are no longer in contention for the world championship this year, but a potential battle for the title next year would make managing a rivalry even more difficult. Leclerc, who has endured difficult seasons and accepted technical limitations, feels he has earned a position he has no intention of surrendering. The missed opportunities in Mexico are starting to add up for the Scuderia, and the current championship standings reflect the narrow margins between the top drivers.