News Now: Ferrari Hold Hamilton-Leclerc Talks as Key Technical …Read more

F1 News Today: Ferrari Hold Hamilton-Leclerc Talks as Key Technical …

Ferrari are attempting to put the drama of the Dutch Grand Prix behind them after team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed that he held discussions with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following the controversial race at Zandvoort.

The Scuderia endured another frustrating weekend, with both drivers finishing outside the podium despite Ferrari showing enough pace to challenge for a top-three result. Hamilton crossed the line fourth, while Leclerc finished fifth, leaving both drivers disappointed with how the race unfolded.

Ferrari seek to clear the air

Tensions increased during the Dutch Grand Prix when Hamilton found himself behind Leclerc during the middle stages of the race. Hamilton believed he had stronger pace and fresher tyres and wanted Ferrari to make a quicker decision.

Leclerc ultimately pitted one lap later, allowing Hamilton to continue without his team-mate directly ahead. However, the delay had already cost valuable time, and Hamilton openly expressed his frustration over Ferrari’s radio communications.

Vasseur subsequently explained that Ferrari’s strategy had been complicated by the difficulty of predicting tyre performance and by the team’s desire not to reveal its plans to rival teams.

The Ferrari boss has now confirmed that conversations were held with both drivers after the race in an attempt to make sure there was a clear understanding of what happened.

Rather than allowing the incident to develop into a bigger internal issue, Ferrari appear determined to address the disagreement directly and maintain a united front heading into the next round of the championship.

Leclerc also frustrated after Zandvoort

Hamilton was not the only Ferrari driver left unhappy.

Leclerc finished just 1.3 seconds away from the podium but felt that circumstances, including the late Virtual Safety Car, worked against Ferrari’s chances of overtaking George Russell for third place.

The Monegasque driver has nevertheless continued to publicly back Ferrari and Vasseur. In a recent interview, Leclerc revealed that his confidence in Vasseur was one of the major reasons he decided to sign a new multi-year contract with the team.

Leclerc said his relationship with Vasseur goes beyond a normal working relationship and that he has strong belief in the Ferrari team principal.

That support could prove important as Ferrari attempt to close the gap to Mercedes and McLaren during the remainder of the season.

Major technical departure at Ferrari

Away from the driver tensions, Ferrari are also dealing with a significant change within their technical operation.

Thierry Baritaud, a veteran member of Ferrari’s Formula 1 programme, has left the organisation after 26 years with the team. Baritaud had served as Ferrari’s head of energy recovery and turbo systems since 2017, making his role particularly important to the team’s power-unit development.

His departure comes just before Ferrari’s home race at Monza, adding another talking point around the Scuderia as the team prepares for one of the most important weekends on its calendar.

The timing is particularly notable because Ferrari are entering Monza with an updated power unit and renewed hopes of fighting for victory in front of their home fans.

Ferrari arrive at Monza under pressure

Ferrari currently sit second in the constructors’ championship after 12 rounds, with Hamilton and Leclerc having both won races during the 2026 campaign.

However, Mercedes remain the benchmark, with Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers’ championship and George Russell also fighting near the front.

The Italian Grand Prix therefore represents a major opportunity for Ferrari. The team will race at Monza with a special livery paying tribute to Michael Schumacher, marking 30 years since the legendary German joined Ferrari and began one of the most successful chapters in the team’s history.

Hamilton and Leclerc will both be looking to put the Zandvoort controversy behind them and deliver a strong result in front of the passionate Ferrari supporters.

For Vasseur, the priority will be simple: keep his two drivers working together, improve Ferrari’s strategic execution and ensure that opportunities are not wasted.

With the championship battle intensifying, Ferrari can ill afford more internal confusion. The discussions with Hamilton and Leclerc suggest the team understands that message — and Monza will provide the first opportunity to see whether the reset has worked.