Video – Hamilton and Leclerc engage in dramatic Ferrari duel during Chinese Grand Prix
The Chinese Grand Prix delivered a spectacular intra-team contest as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc fought wheel-to-wheel for several laps, showcasing both the competitiveness of Ferrari’s car and the intensity of their drivers.
In the closing stages of the race’s middle stint, the two Ferrari teammates were locked in a fierce fight for position, repeatedly exchanging places while pushing their cars to the limit around the Shanghai International Circuit.
Leclerc launches first attack
The first major shift in the battle came when Leclerc managed to overtake Hamilton after a strong run, moving ahead of the British driver. Hamilton immediately attempted to retaliate, and the two Ferrari cars came extremely close to making contact during the fight.
The near-collision created a tense moment for the Scuderia pit wall, as the drivers ran side-by-side while George Russell closely followed behind, waiting for any opportunity to capitalize on a mistake.
The Mercedes driver briefly attempted to take advantage of the situation, but Hamilton defended firmly, preventing the Briton from slipping through and ensuring that the Ferrari duel remained the central battle on track.
Overtake mode sparks intense position changes
Only a lap later, Lewis Hamilton began mounting significant pressure on his teammate. With both drivers deploying their overtaking tools at different points around the circuit, the two Ferraris traded positions in a breathtaking sequence.
The Briton used the extra power available on the long straight to reclaim the position, but Charles Leclerc responded immediately. Approaching Turn 1, the Monegasque driver fought back and managed to draw alongside once again.
The pair ran side-by-side through the opening sequence of corners, providing one of the most exciting moments of the race as neither driver was willing to concede ground.
Hamilton regains the position
The battle continued several laps later when Lewis Hamilton managed to move back ahead of his Maranello teammate. The decisive moment came after Charles Leclerc ran slightly wide under braking for the hairpin, allowing the Briton to seize the opportunity and power past on the exit. Despite having complained about a lack of engine power on team radio shortly before the move, Lewis Hamilton managed to execute the overtake and reclaim the position in impressive fashion. Charles Leclerc attempted to respond immediately in the following corners, but Hamilton defended effectively and maintained control of the position.
Another close call between Ferrari teammates
The drama escalated again on lap 37 when Charles Leclerc launched another attack on the main straight for third place. As he attempted to close the gap under braking, the Ferrari driver came dangerously close to running into the rear of Lewis Hamilton’s car.
The near-miss forced Leclerc to back off slightly, costing him valuable momentum and allowing Hamilton to open up a small gap.
While the two Ferrari drivers avoided contact, the moment underlined just how intense the battle had become, with both drivers pushing hard to gain the upper hand.
This intra-team warfare in Shanghai highlights the delicate balancing act Fred Vasseur faces for the remainder of the 2026 season. While the fans were treated to a masterclass in modern racecraft, the pit wall was likely watching through their fingers as their drivers repeatedly came within millimeters of contact. The fact that Lewis Hamilton could regain a position despite “power loss” complaints suggests he is finding ways to manage the complex 2026 ERS maps better than almost anyone on the grid under pressure. For Leclerc, the pace is clearly there, but the small error at the hairpin proved costly in a race where track position is everything. As the Scuderia heads toward the European leg, this rivalry is no longer just about the championship—it’s about who truly holds the keys to the garage in Maranello.
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