The director of Ferrari in Formula 1, Fred Vasseur, has confirmed that he has spoken with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to clarify the controversy generated during the recent Mexican Grand Prix.
During the first lap of the race in Mexico, Hamilton and Leclerc were involved in an incident that caused them to lose positioning, with Hamilton yielding to Max Verstappen, who ultimately won the race. Leclerc, who received a penalty, finished fourth, thus losing an opportunity to secure a victory for the team.
Hamilton expressed his frustration with Leclerc’s behavior during the fight, rejecting the attitude he viewed as disrespectful towards the Maranello team, composed of over 2,000 professionals. This tension led the seven-time world champion to request a deeper dialogue with his brand teammate and with Vasseur.
The conversations took place Thursday night in São Paulo, and according to Vasseur, the priority is clear: Ferrari must always be first. The team director emphasized that respect is needed not only in competition among the drivers but also for the effort of the personnel working behind the scenes.
In a statement to the press, Vasseur reaffirmed that both drivers need to recognize the importance of the team and the brand they represent. ‘They need to respect each other, but above all, they need to respect our work,’ he highlighted.
Hamilton, in his statements Thursday, admitted that Leclerc had competed more fiercely against him than with other drivers, although Vasseur defended his performance in the Austin GP, where Leclerc made a spectacular overtaking move.
Finally, Vasseur acknowledged that the team collectively failed by not achieving victory despite being in a favorable position, and called for regrouping. ‘We must remember that Ferrari is what we need to place first, both for the brand and for our fans and employees,’ he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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