Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has confirmed that a critical intervention took place between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc on Thursday evening at Interlagos, four days after their first-lap collision in Mexico City. The lap-one incident, which saw both cars run wide at Turn Four while battling for the lead, ultimately opened the door for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to secure the race victory. Vasseur stated that the objective of the discussion was to reset the dynamic between the two drivers, emphasizing that the team’s collective success must take precedence over individual glory.
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The meeting comes in the wake of Hamilton’s public criticism of Leclerc, where the seven-time world champion argued that the team needed to more clearly define their rules of combat to avoid costly repeats in future races. Vasseur acknowledged the need for this dialogue, noting that while the drivers’ competitive instincts are natural, the resulting chaos in Mexico was unacceptable. By addressing the issue immediately before the São Paulo Grand Prix, Ferrari aims to prevent further internal friction from undermining their championship prospects during a crucial stretch of the season.
Vasseur stressed that the outcome of the discussion was definitive, telling reporters that “the message was clear and will stay clear.” This firm stance signals a shift in Ferrari’s management approach, prioritizing strategic discipline over raw aggression in head-to-head battles. With qualifying set to take place at 6pm live on Sky Sports F1 on Saturday, all eyes will be on whether the Ferrari duo can translate this renewed focus into a unified performance on the track, or if lingering tensions continue to impact their race pace.
Source: Sky Sports
