Hamilton (Ferrari): “Me, disrespectful? That’s untrue! Leclerc’s been extra-tough on me”

When two people argue, it’s often not just the third party who benefits – the boss ends up with a job on his hands. To put it in racing terms: when two F1 team-mates are at loggerheads, the team principal’s leadership skills are put to the test.

Following yet another clash between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in Mexico – which cost Ferrari the win – team principal Fred Vasseur said he was “angry, because our drivers showed a lack of respect”.

But quite a few experts in the paddock doubt whether Vasseur is the right man to bring the feuding drivers from Monaco and the UK to their senses. Especially as he has a long-standing friendship with Lewis Hamilton, and with Charles Leclerc as well.

Consequently, there is now speculation in Italy as to whether the two top dogs have now become a matter for the boss’s boss – that is, a matter for Ferrari chairman John Elkann.

Italian media suggest that the 50-year-old head of the Stellantis group is extremely irritated by the ongoing squabbling between the two Ferrari drivers. Mara Sangiorgio of Sky Italia explains: “Team principal Vasseur publicly pilloried his two drivers in Mexico, and John Elkann was certainly unhappy about everything that went on there; especially as he naturally realised what an opportunity Ferrari had let slip through its fingers.”

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Let’s recall: almost exactly a year ago, following a disappointing result in Brazil, Ferrari slipped back to Pxx in the Constructors’ Championship. To which John Elkann retorted: “We need drivers who don’t think of themselves, but who think of Ferrari.”

Elkann will have been thinking of that very sentence in light of the events in Mexico.

Lewis Hamilton reflects on the mess as follows: “Of course, we’ve all had a chat, and I fully understand my responsibility to the team. I constantly praise my team because I see how hard they work for us and because that’s important. I see myself as an important part of this team and as one of the reasons why we are where we are.”

Team principal Fred Vasseur had spoken of a lack of respect, but Hamilton won’t let that stand: “I always have the utmost respect for the team.”

“Of course I was frustrated in Mexico, and we’ll certainly have further discussions, but Charles was in Europe with his young family. We could have won in Mexico, and the team has been doing its utmost all year to get the latest improvements onto the car as quickly as possible.”

“We could have secured a one-two in Mexico, and we must ensure that this doesn’t happen again. I know how well connected and established Charles is within this team. I’ve always respected that. It’s certainly not easy for him when someone like me comes in and demands so many changes. But that’s not going to change. I’m here to win races, and for that to happen, things simply have to change. I’m firmly convinced that we’ll be in the running for the World Championship title next year, and that wouldn’t be possible unless we all step up our game – myself included.”

Hamilton is asked whether he gets the impression that Charles Leclerc drives more aggressively against him than against the other 20 drivers. Lewis: “Yes.” The journalist presses further: “Can you say more about that?” – Hamilton: “No, it’s just as you can see there.”

“Look at Singapore – he was side-by-side with an opponent (it was Max Verstappen, M.B.) and he eased off the throttle. So it is different. And it was the same with Vettel and with Sainz.”

Does Hamilton feel misunderstood? “No, I wouldn’t say that, because what I said after the race is exactly what I meant, and I stand by it. What I do take issue with, however, is being accused of being calculating. Sorry, but we’re out there racing with a heart rate of 170 and doing 300, so you don’t have time to think about what you’re going to say to the media afterwards. It’s obvious that after an incident on the track, frustration builds up and you speak your mind accordingly. Of course, you say things you later regret, but I’ll never apologise for being genuine. And I won’t let anyone tell me what I can and can’t say.”

Lewis Hamilton is reaching his 400th Grand Prix weekend here: “It’s quite mad. I never thought I’d be in Formula 1 for this long. But I still feel young, hungry and fast, and my time in the top flight is far from over.”