Coulthard questions Ferrari's team tactics in Chinese GP duel

Former F1 driver David Coulthard expressed surprise that Ferrari allowed Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to engage in a fierce, wheel-to-wheel battle for the final podium spot at the Chinese Grand Prix, suggesting the team may have cost itself a better result by letting its drivers fight each other. While the duel provided thrilling entertainment, Coulthard argued it allowed the leading Mercedes cars to pull away unchallenged.

Why it matters:

Team strategy in managing intra-team battles is a critical, high-stakes decision that balances driver morale, race results, and championship points. Ferrari's choice to let Hamilton and Leclerc race freely—despite the risk and the potential to apply collective pressure on Mercedes—highlights the complex dynamics at Maranello as it integrates a seven-time champion and manages two elite drivers both considered "number ones."

The details:

• The battle for P3 evolved into a direct scrap between new Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after George Russell cleared both Ferraris.
• Coulthard, commentating on the race, noted it was at times "uncomfortable to watch" and questioned why Ferrari didn't release Leclerc to chase Russell.
• He theorized the team's logic may have been an acceptance that they lacked the pace to win, so the focus was on letting the drivers "do their thing."
• Team Principal Fred Vasseur admitted post-race that Ferrari risked looking "completely stupid" if the battle had ended in contact, but emphasized the importance of driver freedom for team morale.
• Hamilton confirmed a subtle "kiss" of contact occurred during the fight, but it remained clean and both drivers enjoyed the contest.

Between the lines:

Coulthard's critique points to a potential strategic gap between maximizing a single race result and managing a long-term team environment. While the duel was a "masterclass" from Hamilton and great for fans, it also served as an early, public test of Ferrari's philosophy under Vasseur in the Hamilton-Leclerc era. The team prioritized harmony and fair competition over a potentially marginal strategic gain, a decision that will be scrutinized all season, especially in closer championship fights.