The Formula 1 paddock is once again buzzing with internal drama at Ferrari. The latest incident in Mexico City, where Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton collided on the opening lap, has ignited a fierce debate regarding driver management in Maranello.
The incident at Turn 4 forced both drivers off the track. Leclerc, attempting an aggressive move on the outside, ultimately cut across the grass to secure his position, resulting in a five-second penalty from the stewards. Telemetry revealed that Leclerc braked 25 meters later than Hamilton, a move deemed overly risky for the team's wider interests.
Team principal Fred Vasseur rejected suggestions that the circuit layout was to blame. Instead, he pointed to overly combative racing and a lack of respect for the team's broader goals. This is far from the first sign of friction; tensions previously surfaced at the Dutch Grand Prix and Monza, where Hamilton publicly called for clearer driver protocols within the team.
Despite these repeated incidents, Vasseur continues to resist introducing rigid team orders or prescriptive rules of engagement. He prefers to rely on shared principles and post-race debriefs. However, with Mexico marking the third significant flashpoint of the campaign, many are beginning to question whether Vasseur's lenient approach remains sustainable or if it is jeopardizing Ferrari's constructor ambitions.
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