Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has made his expectations clear to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc ahead of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, insisting that both drivers must know how to race together as the Scuderia prepares for a potentially decisive battle into Turn 1. With Lewis Hamilton starting from pole position and Charles Leclerc third, Ferrari has an excellent opportunity to fight for victory, but the unusually long run to the first corner could complicate matters.
Speaking ahead of the race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Fred Vasseur expressed confidence in the professionalism of his two drivers while acknowledging the risks of the opening lap. The French team principal wants Ferrari to maximise its starting positions without allowing an internal battle to compromise the team’s chances of securing a strong result.
Mexico GP start: Why Turn 1 could be crucial for Ferrari
The opening corner has often produced some of the most intense battles at the Mexico City Grand Prix, particularly among drivers starting from the front two rows. Approximately 830 metres separate pole position from Turn 1, creating an exceptionally long acceleration zone in which slipstreaming and positioning can have a major influence on the running order.
For Ferrari, the situation is particularly interesting. Lewis Hamilton will start from first place after securing his maiden pole position for the Italian team, while Charles Leclerc lines up third. The race, scheduled to begin at 21:00 CET, therefore offers Ferrari an important opportunity to challenge for victory.
However, the advantage of starting at the front does not necessarily guarantee that either driver will lead after the first braking zone. The long approach to Turn 1 gives pursuing cars an opportunity to gain speed in the slipstream, making the opening seconds especially important. A detailed analysis of Ferrari’s Mexico GP race strategy and opening-lap challenges explores the different scenarios that could influence the contest.
Fred Vasseur tells Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc they must race together
Asked by Sky Sports F1 about Ferrari’s approach to the opening corner, Fred Vasseur emphasised that the team must concentrate on finding the best strategy and ensuring that both cars emerge from the first turn in a competitive position.
“We need to find the best strategy and, first of all, make sure we have a good run out of the first corner. Hamilton and Leclerc need to know how to race together. It’s part of the team’s performance and we will continue like this. They are professionals.”
The Ferrari team principal’s comments underline the importance of managing the relationship between his two drivers during a race in which both will have ambitions of fighting at the front. While Lewis Hamilton will aim to convert pole position into victory, Charles Leclerc also has an opportunity to move forward from third on the grid.
Speaking separately to Canal+, Fred Vasseur expanded on the potentially chaotic nature of the start, highlighting the unusually long approach to the first corner and the possibility of several cars changing positions before reaching the braking zone.
“I prefer having my drivers in P1 and P3 rather than P1 and P12. Here, the first section up to Turn 1 is very, very long. There will be slipstreaming and also a lot of movement from right to left. The position at Turn 1 will be fundamental because being in the slipstream, on a circuit where the air is a little denser, will be decisive for the race.”
Fred Vasseur celebrates Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari pole but warns about the race
Beyond the challenge of the opening lap, Fred Vasseur also reflected on the significance of Lewis Hamilton securing his first pole position since joining Ferrari. The result represents an important achievement for the seven-time world champion, who had been targeting such a milestone with the Italian team.
Nevertheless, the Ferrari team principal stressed that the qualifying result would only become truly valuable if the team could capitalise on its performance during Sunday’s Grand Prix. He also revealed that Charles Leclerc had made a small error during Q3, potentially costing Ferrari the opportunity to lock out the front row.
“He has been aiming for pole position for two years now, so it’s a great result. But the most important thing will be the race. Leclerc made a small mistake in Q3 because we could have secured a one-two. As for the race strategy, I don’t think there will be many options.”
The narrow margins between the Ferrari drivers in qualifying can be explored further through the F1 qualifying pace and sector comparison, which provides detailed information about individual lap times, sector performance and qualifying progression.
With Ferrari occupying first and third positions on the grid, the team heads into the Mexico City Grand Prix with a strong opportunity to challenge for victory. However, as Fred Vasseur made clear, the first priority will be negotiating the long run to Turn 1 successfully, ensuring that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc make the most of their starting positions before the race strategy comes into play.
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