Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur had to step in. Following an opening-lap battle at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc went wheel-to-wheel, the Scuderia boss confirmed he held talks with both drivers to clear the air.
That frantic start in Mexico City ended with a five-second penalty for Leclerc over the incident with his team mate, and the team ultimately missed out on a potential one-two finish. Hamilton called for discussions over the rules of engagement ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, prompting Vasseur to sit down with the pair on the Thursday evening before flying back to Europe.
It's like déjà vu because you asked me exactly the same questions for so many years, and then Nico called it a day,
"We spoke yesterday evening because I had to fly back to Europe between the two races," Vasseur explained. "It went well. It was good to discuss things and clarify my position and their positions. Now we turn the page and focus on the next one."
The Frenchman pointed out that a build-up of frustration was bound to happen when two fiercely competitive drivers line up side by side weekend after weekend. While he is not asking them to be best friends, mutual respect and professionalism remain non-negotiable. Above all else, the team must come first for the brand, the employees, and the Tifosi.
"Mainly, and firstly, they need to respect the brand, the team, the people working at home and the people working at the track," Vasseur stated. "We're putting a lot of effort into this, and the message was clear and will stay clear." He added that the squad collectively fell short by failing to convert a strong position into a victory, reminding everyone that Ferrari comes first.
Managing two front-running drivers brings both rewards and risks, especially as Ferrari has been at the front for four or five races in a row, scoring the highest number of points after Monza and Madrid. Vasseur accepts those trade-offs, noting that while having closely matched drivers creates tension, it is also why the team sits where it does.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff watched the situation unfold with a strong sense of familiarity, drawing parallels to Hamilton's past battles with Nico Rosberg at the Silver Arrows. "It's like déjà vu because you asked me exactly the same questions for so many years, and then Nico called it a day," Wolff said, noting that the best drivers always have sharp edges and want to win.
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