Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard is among those questioning Ferrari’s pit wall management after the team allowed Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to fight freely during the Chinese Grand Prix.
It was perhaps inevitable that sooner or later it would happen: the two Ferrari drivers went wheel-to-wheel in China, battling intensely for position. Such scenarios are nothing unusual between teammates, especially when a podium finish is at stake. However, Ferrari chose not to intervene with team orders, allowing both drivers to race each other without restrictions.
A three-way fight involving Mercedes
At the start of the battle, it was not just an internal Ferrari duel. George Russell was also in the mix, carefully waiting for the right moment to insert himself into the fight. The Mercedes driver executed his move perfectly, overtaking both Ferraris and securing second place behind an outstanding Kimi Antonelli, who delivered a remarkable performance at the front.
Despite the setback, Hamilton eventually managed to get the better of his teammate, securing his first podium finish in Ferrari colors. It marked an important milestone for the seven-time world champion, who continues to adapt to life at Maranello.
Coulthard’s view on Hamilton and Ferrari
However, Ferrari’s decision to let their drivers fight so aggressively raised eyebrows among several observers, including David Coulthard himself.
“I think he drove brilliantly, and there’s no doubt that he is much happier,” David Coulthard said on the Up To Speed podcast, referring to Hamilton’s performance.
“There’s a bit of a divided audience. On one side, those who enjoy the on-track action, and on the other, the purists of the sport, who think: ‘Well, the drivers are recharging energy in places where they would normally be pushing flat out.’ Putting all that aside, the rules are the same for everyone, and every team had the opportunity to perform at their maximum. Ferrari currently has the second-best car on the grid,” he added, highlighting the progress made by the Scuderia.
While acknowledging that Hamilton and Leclerc represent “a thorn in Mercedes’ side,” David Coulthard pointed out that, over the first two races, Ferrari has not yet demonstrated “the pace to beat them over a full race distance.”
Hamilton’s adaptation and Leclerc’s missed response
According to David Coulthard, among the two Ferrari drivers, the Briton appears to have adapted better to the current regulations. “I kept watching them thinking: ‘Okay, now Leclerc’s attack is coming.’ But it never came. Hamilton delivered a true masterclass in a one-stop race,” he explained.
The cost of fighting each other
If Ferrari had avoided losing time through their internal battle, they might have been able to challenge Mercedes more effectively—this is the key point David Coulthard criticized.
“They are both number ones,” he said, emphasizing the challenge this creates for Ferrari’s management.
“For all the time they spend fighting each other, which is great for us spectators, they are only losing ground to Mercedes,” he continued. The former driver suggested that, lacking the pace to win the race outright, Ferrari may have chosen to let both drivers run their own race.
“They will develop the car, and then we will see if they can truly challenge Mercedes. I was surprised, but wow—it gave us a great race,” David Coulthard concluded.
The “two roosters” dynamic at Ferrari remains the biggest talking point in the paddock. While the fans are enjoying the spectacle of the sport’s most successful driver taking on the established Prince of Maranello, the points lost in intra-team battles could prove costly if the development race with Mercedes remains this tight. Fred Vasseur will undoubtedly face more tough questions about whether “letting them race” is a sustainable strategy for a championship bid.
The Chinese Grand Prix has therefore set a precedent for how Ferrari intends to handle its star duo, but as the European season approaches, the pressure to prioritize the team’s points over individual glory will only intensify. For now, Mercedes is the primary beneficiary of the civil war in red.
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