F1 China: No bad blood between Ferrari drivers after intense wheel-to-wheel Sprint duel. Charles Leclerc addresses the intense battle with Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Ferrari teammates duel in the Sprint

After a long battle with Mercedes’ George Russell for the lead, Lewis Hamilton experienced tire degradation, which Charles Leclerc capitalized on to steal second place. The two Ferrari drivers delivered an exciting fight, running wheel-to-wheel but, fortunately, without making contact. The Monegasque driver eventually finished second, ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Sparks but no controversy

During Lewis Hamilton’s defense, Charles Leclerc had a few words over the radio in those heated moments, pointing out quite animatedly that the seven-time world champion hadn’t left him much room during the overtaking maneuver.

However, after the Sprint, Charles Leclerc made it clear there was no lingering tension: “No, I haven’t spoken to Lewis, but everything’s fine,” he said when asked about the incident.

Charles Leclerc’s dismissal of the incident highlights the professional maturity that Ferrari will need as they navigate the 2026 season with two Alpha drivers. While the adrenaline of the Sprint led to a heated radio message, the reality is that both the Briton and the Monegasque are focused on the bigger picture: closing the gap to Mercedes. Ferrari’s ability to let their drivers race without strictly enforced team orders—provided they don’t crash—is a refreshing change for fans, but it places a high level of responsibility on the drivers to maintain respect. As the season progresses, managing these “wheel-to-wheel” moments without letting them spill over into the garage will be Fred Vasseur’s most delicate task. For now, the “Scuderia peace” remains intact, and the focus remains solely on the hunt for the top step of the podium.