Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed on Friday, 7 November 2025 that he held direct talks with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following their on-track collision at the Mexico City Grand Prix, ahead of this weekend's São Paulo GP in Brazil. Vasseur attributed the incident to 'accumulated frustration' between the two drivers and delivered a firm message: Ferrari comes first.

What Happened in Mexico City

The flashpoint came on the opening lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, where Hamilton and Leclerc battled wheel-to-wheel after Hamilton had claimed pole position in his first start from the front for the Scuderia. Leclerc cut the track during the skirmish and was handed a five-second time penalty, while Hamilton lost ground and was overtaken by eventual race winner Max Verstappen.

Hamilton ultimately finished second, with Kimi Antonelli claiming third and securing a historic title in the process. Leclerc finished fourth at the end of the 71-lap race — a result Vasseur described as a collective failure. 'We failed collectively because we were one-two and didn't win the race in the end,' he said.

Vasseur's Message to His Drivers

Vasseur confirmed the conversations took place after he flew back from Europe between the two race weekends. 'We spoke yesterday evening because I had to fly back to Europe between the two races,' he said at Friday's Team Representatives' press conference in São Paulo. 'It went well. It was good to discuss things and clarify my position and their positions. Now we turn the page and focus on the next one.'

The Ferrari boss was explicit about the hierarchy of priorities. 'The conclusion of the meeting yesterday evening was clear. It was a reminder that Ferrari comes first, for the brand, for the employees and for the Tifosi,' he said. He also stressed mutual respect as a non-negotiable: 'They need to respect each other. They're two competitors with a fighting spirit, but they need to respect one another.'

Managing Two Champions: The Upside and the Risk

Vasseur acknowledged the complexity of running two highly competitive, experienced drivers but pointed to Ferrari's overall standing as evidence the approach is working. 'It's now four or five races in a row that we've been at the front, scoring the highest number of points after Monza and Madrid,' he said. The team currently sits second in the Constructors' Championship.

'We have two competitive guys starting each weekend next to each other. But we are P2 today, because we have two guys who are very close, and we have to manage it. It's a choice in the line-up, and has positives and negatives. But I will deal with the negatives,' Vasseur added.

On the relationship between Hamilton and Leclerc specifically — and Hamilton's reported remarks about not staying silent — Vasseur kept his cards close. 'I was clear with Lewis, and I'll keep that between Lewis and myself,' he said. He also cautioned against drawing comparisons with past driver partnerships: 'You can't compare the relationship between Carlos (Sainz) and Charles, Charles and Lewis, or Lewis and Valtteri (Bottas) in the past. They have different personalities. I'm not asking them to be best friends. I'm just asking them to act and work as professionals.'

Toto Wolff's Déjà Vu Moment

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, also present at Friday's press conference, drew a pointed parallel to his own experience managing Hamilton alongside Nico Rosberg at Silver Arrows. 'It's like déjà vu because you asked me exactly the same questions for so many years, and then Nico called it a day,' Wolff said.

Wolff noted that internal rivalries often require a defining incident before both sides internalise the limits. 'Sometimes it needs a really tough incident to make a point. When I was there with Nico and Lewis, whenever there was an accident, it was understood that this was the limit and it wouldn't continue like that,' he added. 'It's about respect for the team — the many thousands of people and the brand they work for. That's what they need to keep in their heads.'

What to Watch at São Paulo

With Ferrari sitting second in the Constructors' Championship and both Hamilton and Leclerc hunting victories, the São Paulo Grand Prix will be an immediate test of whether Vasseur's intervention has reset the dynamic between his drivers — or whether the pressure of a podium fight will once again trigger intra-team friction.