Vasseur says Ferrari driver rules unchanged after Mexican GP defeat

Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the racing guidelines between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remain "still the same" following their defeat at the Mexican Grand Prix. The team principal stated that no new instructions were issued regarding how the drivers engage on track, despite the incident costing Ferrari a potential one-two finish. Vasseur admitted the team failed collectively because they started in first and second positions but did not win the race. He emphasized that the conclusion of their meeting was clear: Ferrari comes first for the brand, employees, and Tifosi. The drivers must respect each other as competitors with fighting spirit, but primarily they must respect the team and the people working at home and on track. Vasseur noted that the pair accumulated frustration from starting side by side every weekend, yet the core message remains unchanged. They need to put the team’s performance before personal ambitions, ensuring that individual goals do not overshadow the collective effort of the organization.

Wolff Sees Deja Vu in Driver Management

Toto Wolff described the situation at Ferrari as "deja vu," drawing parallels to his own management of Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes between 2013 and 2016. Wolff explained that he faced similar questions for four years until Rosberg called it a day, noting that strong drivers often have edges that make coexistence difficult under media spotlight. He suggested that escalation can sometimes be necessary to make a point, recalling how an accident in Barcelona set a clear limit for the Mercedes duo. Vasseur declined to reveal if he resorted to drastic measures like changing the driver line-up or demanding financial penalties for damage, stating that private discussions must stay private out of respect for the drivers and the team. He stressed that the most important message is that they work for the brand, sponsors, and mainly the employees. Max Verstappen, who won the race by 0.799 seconds after pitting strategically during the Ferrari battle, said the equal status cost them victory. He observed that two number one drivers always go for it, which allowed Red Bull to capitalize on their internal conflict. Martin Brundle expressed doubt about whether Ferrari will truly resolve the issue, predicting they will sit down, understand it, move forward, and claim it will not happen again, but reality suggests otherwise. Kimi Antonelli sealed the world title on the same afternoon, leaving Verstappen in second place with 261 points, just two ahead of Hamilton’s 259. Leclerc sits fifth with 245 points, while both drivers are under contract for the upcoming season, making immediate personnel changes unlikely.