Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has revealed details of a crisis meeting involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after tensions between the two drivers threatened to create further problems for the Scuderia. Following their on-track confrontation at the Mexican Grand Prix and subsequent verbal exchanges, Vasseur insists the discussions went well and that Ferrari is now ready to move forward.
Speaking ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, the Frenchman confirmed that he had spoken with both drivers on Thursday evening, with the meeting intended to address the growing friction between Ferrari’s two biggest stars.
“It was good to discuss it and clarify my and their positions,” Vasseur explained.
The team principal also delivered a clear message about what he expects from his drivers, stressing that Ferrari’s interests must always come before individual ambitions.
Vasseur confirms Ferrari crisis meeting with Hamilton and Leclerc
The relationship between Hamilton and Leclerc has attracted increasing attention following their confrontation at the Mexican Grand Prix.
What initially appeared to be an aggressive intra-team battle developed into a wider disagreement, with Hamilton subsequently expressing his frustration verbally. The exchanges attracted criticism and raised questions about whether Ferrari was losing control of the situation.
Vasseur acknowledged the importance of addressing the matter directly rather than allowing tensions to continue developing.
According to the Ferrari boss, Thursday’s conversation provided an opportunity for all three parties to explain their positions and establish how the team should approach the situation going forward.
“Now we are opening a new chapter,” Vasseur declared.
It was a carefully chosen statement, suggesting that Ferrari wants to draw a line under the disagreement before it becomes a recurring distraction during the remaining races.
Ferrari’s team orders remain unchanged despite the disagreement
Despite the meeting, Vasseur made it clear that Ferrari would not be changing its fundamental expectations of either driver.
“The guidelines are still the same,” he insisted.
The Frenchman was particularly keen to emphasise that Hamilton and Leclerc must demonstrate mutual respect, regardless of their competitive ambitions or disagreements on the circuit.
His message was unmistakable.
“They must respect each other,” Vasseur demanded. “But above all, they must respect the brand, the team, the staff at home and at the racetrack.”
He added that Ferrari must always come first.
“I believe we are investing a lot of effort in this matter,” Vasseur continued, explaining that the message had been communicated clearly and would remain unchanged.
For Ferrari, the issue extends beyond two drivers disagreeing over racing incidents. The team employs hundreds of people working towards a common objective, and internal disputes risk undermining that collective effort.
Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello was intended to strengthen Ferrari’s championship ambitions, while Leclerc remains central to the team’s long-term plans. Managing their relationship is therefore an important responsibility for Vasseur.
Gerhard Berger questions Ferrari’s handling of the situation
Former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger has also weighed in on the developing situation, warning that Ferrari faces a difficult management challenge.
Speaking to RTL/Sky Sport, the Austrian suggested that discussions about how to manage the relationship between the drivers were already likely taking place in Maranello.
“I assume that discussions are already taking place in Maranello. ‘How do you handle this? How do you change this? How do you do this?’ And it’s certainly not a simple matter with two drivers of the caliber of Hamilton and the caliber of Leclerc, but that’s their job,” Berger explained.
However, the former Ferrari driver was not entirely sympathetic towards Hamilton.
“On the one hand, Lewis Hamilton always likes to complain a bit, on the other hand, he attacks others in the first corner in a way that is not conducive to teamwork, even though he’s not driving for Ferrari,” Berger added.
He also warned that the situation could become considerably more serious if neither driver was prepared to compromise.
“If someone doesn’t give a little or isn’t careful, then it ends with a crash of two Ferraris, and that can’t be right.”
Ferrari cannot afford another public confrontation
Vasseur’s intervention suggests Ferrari is determined to prevent the disagreement from becoming a defining feature of its season.
Hamilton and Leclerc are both fiercely competitive drivers, and neither will want to sacrifice opportunities simply to accommodate their teammate.
However, Ferrari’s championship ambitions depend on both drivers delivering results without allowing personal rivalries to compromise the team’s objectives.
The crisis meeting may have temporarily calmed tensions, but the real test will come when the two Ferraris are fighting for position again.
Vasseur has made his expectations clear. Whether Hamilton and Leclerc can consistently deliver on them remains the bigger question facing Ferrari.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
