A truce has reportedly been reached between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari following the tensions that erupted at the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix and intensified after the seven-time world champion made fresh accusations against his team-mate. On Thursday evening at Interlagos, the two drivers held a lengthy meeting with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, with discussions lasting more than an hour.
The meeting was revealed by Ferrari ambassador Marc Gené during Sky Sport F1’s commentary of the first practice session for the Brazilian Grand Prix. According to the former Spanish Formula 1 driver, tensions had eased by the time the discussions ended. It marked an initial attempt to clear the air, coming just hours after Lewis Hamilton had delivered some particularly strong comments during Thursday’s media day.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc meet Fred Vasseur for over an hour at Interlagos
The clear-the-air meeting promised by Fred Vasseur following Ferrari’s costly Mexican Grand Prix finally took place on Thursday evening in the Interlagos paddock. Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and the Ferrari team principal spent more than an hour discussing the tensions stemming from their first-lap battle in Mexico City, an incident that cost the Maranello team a potential victory and one-two finish.
Marc Gené revealed details of the meeting during Friday’s live coverage of FP1 on Sky Sport F1, also describing a calmer atmosphere following the discussions. While that does not necessarily mean every disagreement has been resolved, it represents a noticeable change from the public statements made only hours earlier.
On Thursday afternoon, Lewis Hamilton had reiterated his criticism of Charles Leclerc. Asked whether his team-mate had been aggressive towards him, the seven-time world champion replied without hesitation: “Yes.” He then pointed to the Monegasque driver’s different approach when racing Max Verstappen in Singapore, while also referring to previous situations involving Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.
The remarks followed Lewis Hamilton’s latest accusations concerning Charles Leclerc’s racing approach, which had further intensified scrutiny of Ferrari’s internal relationship.
The British driver also defended his right to express his opinions publicly. “I have no intention of being silenced, nobody has asked me to say nothing,” he insisted. Speaking about the upcoming meeting, he had also acknowledged his doubts about an immediate resolution: “I don’t think everything will be resolved and sorted out in one meeting.”
His determination to speak openly had already become a central part of the growing Ferrari tensions ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Fred Vasseur confirms Ferrari’s racing rules will remain unchanged
Just a few hours after Lewis Hamilton’s comments, the anticipated meeting took place and, according to Marc Gené, produced at least a temporary truce between the two Ferrari drivers.
Fred Vasseur subsequently provided further clarification during Friday’s press conference at Interlagos, explaining what had changed following the discussions. Crucially, the rules of engagement between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will remain exactly as they were before the meeting.
“The guidelines are always the same,” the French team principal explained, acknowledging that both drivers may have accumulated frustration from repeatedly finding themselves battling against one another on track.
Fred Vasseur then reiterated the principle he considers essential: “They have to respect each other,” but above all, they must respect Ferrari and the people working for the team, both at the factory and at the circuit.
“The message was clear,” Fred Vasseur concluded.
The meeting therefore appears to have helped reduce tensions without introducing any changes to the rules governing battles between the two Ferrari drivers. The decision is particularly significant following earlier discussions about potential changes to Ferrari’s internal racing rules after the Mexican Grand Prix controversy.
Why the Ferrari meeting was delayed after the Mexican Grand Prix
The meeting had been expected ever since Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix. Following the incident at Turn 4, which allowed Max Verstappen to take advantage of the battle between the two Ferraris, Lewis Hamilton accused Charles Leclerc of prioritising his own victory over the team’s overall result.
Fred Vasseur had also been highly critical of both drivers, describing their conduct as disrespectful towards the people working at Maranello.
However, the three-way discussion could not take place immediately after the race because two of those involved had commitments requiring them to return to Europe.
Fred Vasseur travelled back to Ferrari’s headquarters, while Charles Leclerc returned to Monaco to attend the birth of his first daughter, Bianca, who was born on 3 November.
As a result, the Monegasque driver was also excused from Thursday’s media commitments at Interlagos, leaving Lewis Hamilton to face journalists’ questions without his team-mate alongside him. It was during those interviews that the British driver renewed his criticism of Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari tensions ease, but the next on-track battle will be the real test
The truce reported by Marc Gené therefore comes at a particularly delicate moment for Ferrari. Having rediscovered a car capable of fighting for victory in Mexico, the Italian team subsequently found itself dealing with an increasingly difficult rivalry between its two drivers.
The situation has also raised wider questions about Ferrari’s management of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, particularly when both are competing for major results.
The discussions at Interlagos may have restored some calm, but they do not guarantee that every underlying disagreement has disappeared. With Fred Vasseur confirming that the existing racing guidelines remain in place, the responsibility now rests with both drivers to demonstrate that the meeting has made a meaningful difference.
Ultimately, it will be their behaviour during the next direct battles on track, rather than the outcome of a private meeting, that determines whether Ferrari has genuinely moved beyond the tensions of Mexico.
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