Vasseur: Ferrari drivers cleared the air after Monza clash

Fred Vasseur has confirmed he held clear-the-air talks with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton after their near-collision at Monza, but the Ferrari team principal rejects the idea that the incident exposed a deeper crisis. He says both drivers have moved on, and he has reminded them of the fundamental principles he expects them to follow.

Why it matters:

With Ferrari fighting at the front, any friction between its two star drivers becomes a major talking point. Vasseur's handling of the situation will shape whether the team can maintain harmony while chasing results, and his comments offer a rare look at how he manages two number-one drivers.

The details:

• Vasseur told Motorsport.com that meetings with Leclerc and Hamilton were positive: "They cleared things up together and I reminded them of some fundamental principles."
• He wants drivers to protect the team and take responsibility, just as he does publicly after strategy calls go wrong. He cited sending strategy engineer Ravin Jain onto the podium after Ferrari's 2024 Melbourne win, and taking the blame himself when races were lost.
• Vasseur is not asking drivers to stay silent. He noted Hamilton said 80% of his message was positive, but the negative 20% became the headline. "It's part of the game."
• On "rules of engagement," Vasseur says clear principles exist, but contracts can't cover every on-track scenario. Ferrari maintains equal treatment until one driver is mathematically out of the title fight; then he will make a call.
• He also defended the ADUO 2 engine upgrade, arguing a power gain can still produce a bigger lap-time gap at Monza than at a lower-downforce track like Zandvoort. "That doesn't mean the ADUO isn't working."

What's next:

Vasseur remains focused on the bigger picture. He dismissed speculation about his future, noting Ferrari has won two races and has a clear development path. With senior management present at races, he says the support is there. The pressure is part of the job, but he wants incidents like Monza to be judged in proportion.