FERRARI F1 BOSS HITS BACK AT LEWIS HAMILTON AND CHARLES LECLERC AFTER…
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has stepped in to address the growing fallout between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following their dramatic Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza.
What was expected to be one of Ferrari’s biggest opportunities of the 2026 Formula 1 season quickly turned into a nightmare for the Scuderia. Leclerc and Hamilton started the race from the second row, giving Ferrari a genuine chance of fighting for victory in front of the passionate Tifosi.
Instead, the two Ferrari drivers immediately found themselves battling each other through the opening chicane. Hamilton attempted to challenge Leclerc, but the Monegasque held his position and Hamilton was forced onto the gravel at the exit of Turn 2. Hamilton dropped down the order as a result and eventually finished sixth.
The situation became even worse for Ferrari just moments later.
Leclerc crashed out at the Parabolica on the second lap, bringing his race to an abrupt end and triggering a red flag. Although Leclerc escaped serious injury, Ferrari was left with only one car fighting for points.
The incident between the teammates immediately created questions about Ferrari’s approach to allowing its drivers to race each other.
Hamilton was particularly critical after the race. The seven-time world champion said Ferrari needed to examine how it communicates and manages situations involving its two drivers. He also pointed out that, unlike during his Mercedes career, Ferrari does not currently have formal written “rules of engagement” governing battles between teammates.
Hamilton’s comments placed pressure directly on Vasseur and the Ferrari leadership.
However, Vasseur has now made it clear that he does not believe the Monza incident represents an internal crisis.
The Ferrari boss confirmed that he held discussions with both drivers after the Italian Grand Prix. According to Vasseur, the meetings were productive and allowed the team to address what happened on track as well as some of the comments made afterwards. He also reminded Hamilton and Leclerc of the principles he expects them to follow as Ferrari drivers.
Vasseur’s message is essentially that the drivers must remember they are fighting for the same team.
That does not necessarily mean Ferrari is preparing to introduce strict team orders every time Hamilton and Leclerc find themselves battling for position. Instead, the emphasis appears to be on ensuring that both drivers understand the consequences of taking unnecessary risks against their own teammate.
Leclerc has already accepted responsibility for his part in the Monza incident.
After reviewing the opening-lap battle, the Ferrari driver acknowledged that he went too far at Turn 2. He subsequently spoke directly with Hamilton, with both drivers agreeing that they needed to avoid a repeat of the situation. Leclerc also insisted that the disagreement had not damaged the relationship between the teammates.
That admission appears to have helped calm the situation.
Hamilton, meanwhile, has also made it clear that his criticism was not necessarily directed at Leclerc personally. His bigger concern is Ferrari’s overall operation and whether the team is doing enough to maximise its championship opportunities.
The timing is particularly important.
Hamilton remains third in the drivers’ championship, but he is 76 points behind Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli. Ferrari is also second in the constructors’ championship, trailing Mercedes by 122 points. With the season progressing, every lost point is becoming increasingly significant.
That makes the Monza incident more than simply a disagreement between two teammates.
Ferrari had the opportunity to put two cars near the front of the field at its home race. Instead, Leclerc failed to finish and Hamilton could only recover to sixth. The result was another weekend in which Ferrari failed to extract the maximum possible points from a promising starting position.
Vasseur therefore faces a delicate task.
He needs to keep both drivers motivated and allow them enough freedom to compete, while also ensuring that their battles do not compromise Ferrari’s championship ambitions. Hamilton is chasing an eighth world title, while Leclerc remains determined to establish himself as Ferrari’s long-term championship leader.
Neither driver is likely to willingly surrender a position when victory or a podium is within reach.
That is why Hamilton’s call for clearer procedures has attracted so much attention. During his time at Mercedes, he experienced an environment where rules existed to regulate aggressive teammate battles. Ferrari currently appears to rely more heavily on its drivers’ judgement and the principles communicated by its leadership.
Vasseur, however, appears determined not to allow the controversy to become bigger than it needs to be.
Ferrari’s team principal has rejected suggestions that the relationship between Hamilton and Leclerc is seriously damaged. Both drivers have cleared the air, and Leclerc’s acceptance of responsibility has removed some of the immediate tension surrounding the incident.
The next test will come at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.
Ferrari will be hoping that the lessons from Monza translate into cleaner racing and stronger execution. The team cannot afford another weekend where its drivers’ battles or operational mistakes overshadow the pace of the car.
For Hamilton and Leclerc, the message from Vasseur is equally clear: they can fight, but they must protect Ferrari while doing so.
The Monza controversy may therefore have ended without the dramatic internal conflict some expected. But it has exposed an important question inside Ferrari — whether its current approach to managing two highly competitive drivers is strong enough to deliver a championship.
For now, Vasseur is choosing calm over crisis. Hamilton wants Ferrari to improve its communication and procedures, Leclerc has admitted his mistake, and both drivers insist their relationship remains strong.
The pressure, however, will remain firmly on Ferrari.
With the championship battle intensifying, the Scuderia can no longer afford to turn strong opportunities into lost points.
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