Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has played down the importance of pre-race discussions between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following their costly battle at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. Despite the confrontation contributing to Ferrari losing a potential victory, the French manager does not regret failing to establish specific instructions for the opening lap, insisting that respect for the team must come first.
Ferrari’s freedom to race backfires at the Mexico GP
Fred Vasseur had already explained after qualifying in Mexico that he was relying on his drivers’ common sense ahead of the Grand Prix start. The Ferrari team principal expressed confidence in their ability to race each other responsibly, saying: “They are professionals. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc must know how to race together. We will continue like this.”
However, the freedom given to the two drivers ultimately backfired on Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc ended up battling each other and getting in one another’s way, opening the door for Max Verstappen to take advantage and eventually claim victory after arriving at Turn 4 in third position.
The incident has renewed questions about Ferrari’s approach to managing its two drivers, particularly when both are fighting at the front of the field and the team’s chances of winning are at stake.
Fred Vasseur insists respect matters more than Ferrari’s pre-race talks
Speaking to journalists after the race, Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the characteristics of the Mexico City circuit had contributed to the situation but refused to use them as an excuse.
“The layout of the circuit certainly didn’t help. If you look back, we’ve already had these kinds of problems in recent years. But that cannot be an excuse,” the Ferrari team principal explained.
Asked whether Ferrari had discussed how Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc should approach the opening lap before the race, Fred Vasseur played down the importance of establishing detailed instructions for every possible scenario.
“I think we could talk about it for years, but it’s not a question of discussing beforehand whether you’re starting from the grid slot on the right or the one on the left… My only point is that it’s a question of respect.”
For the French manager, there is no need to lecture his drivers before every race, provided they compete with an understanding of the wider responsibilities involved. Their actions must take into account the work carried out by the team, the Ferrari brand and the sponsors supporting the operation.
That emphasis on collective responsibility is consistent with Fred Vasseur’s demand for respect following the Mexico GP clash, as the Scuderia attempts to ensure that its drivers’ individual ambitions do not undermine its overall results.
Fred Vasseur finds positives in Ferrari’s Mexico GP performance
Despite his frustration over the missed opportunity, Fred Vasseur also sought to highlight the encouraging aspects of Ferrari’s performance in Mexico. The team had secured pole position and, in his assessment, possessed the race pace required to achieve a one-two finish.
“This is the third or fourth race in which we’ve scored more points than our rivals. We took pole position and had the pace for a one-two finish in the race. That’s why this situation is more frustrating than if we had qualified fifteenth and sixteenth. The positive thing is that we’ll be back on track in four days. We’ll discuss it on Sunday evening, sort it out on Monday and then focus on São Paulo.”
The comments underline why the outcome was particularly disappointing for Ferrari. Rather than struggling for competitiveness, the team had demonstrated the performance needed to challenge for victory, only for the battle between its drivers to compromise the opportunity.
The immediate priority is now to address what happened in Mexico and turn attention towards the next round. With the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo approaching, Fred Vasseur wants Ferrari to resolve the disagreement quickly and concentrate on building upon its recent competitive form.
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