Scuderia Ferrari's internal dynamics have once again come under intense scrutiny after Max Verstappen delivered a blunt assessment regarding the Maranello-based outfit's driver lineup. The reigning world champion firmly believes that housing two top-tier drivers with equal status in the same garage is a recipe for disaster that ultimately hurts the team's championship points.
The Dutchman's remarks stem from the dramatic first-lap skirmish between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the recent Mexico City Grand Prix. That fierce wheel-to-wheel battle at the opening corner of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez paved the way for the Red Bull Racing star to effortlessly snatch victory away from the Prancing Horse.
Speaking to Viaplay ahead of the race weekend at Interlagos, Verstappen outlined the strict management philosophy he would adopt if he were running an F1 team. In his view, the sheer ego of two competitive drivers fighting for supremacy makes friction inevitable unless clear team orders are established.
"I've said it before, and a lot of people often don't agree, but if I was a team principal, I'd never get two 'No 1' drivers because then you get things like this," Verstappen stated. He pointed out that neither driver is willing to yield because both genuinely believe they possess the race-winning pace.
Elaborating further, the championship leader suggested that appointing a definitive primary and secondary driver would have prevented the costly opening-lap clash in Mexico. "If you had a clear 'No 1' and 'No 2', they would've gone through the first corner as P1 and P2 and finished like that. Or P1 and P3, that's fine too, because as a team you're still scoring great points," he added.
Meanwhile, any lingering tension within the red camp appears to have dissipated following clear-the-air talks in Brazil. Hamilton confirmed that he and Leclerc have completely resolved the issue after holding constructive discussions with team principal Fred Vasseur.
"Me and Charles sat and spoke and we squashed it, and we're moving on," Hamilton told Sky Sports F1. The British racing legend emphasized that mutual respect between them remains intact, with both drivers openly sharing feedback to elevate the team's performance for the remaining rounds.
Addressing the media, Vasseur insisted that Ferrari's internal racing guidelines remain completely unchanged despite the recurring on-track battles. He acknowledged that the minor clashes might stem from a build-up of competitive frustration given how closely matched the two drivers are on the grid.
"The guidelines are still the same. They accumulated perhaps a bit of frustration because they are starting each weekend side by side, and you have a kind of accumulation of fact," Vasseur explained. He stressed that above all fierce individual rivalries, both competitors must always respect each other and honor the legacy of the legendary Italian brand.
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