Vasseur frustrated as Ferrari intra-team clash costs Mexico win
Summary
Fred Vasseur was left frustrated after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s first-lap fight in Mexico allowed Max Verstappen to win a race Ferrari should have controlled.
Ferrari left Mexico City frustrated after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s first-lap fight turned a likely one-two into P2 and P4, allowing Max Verstappen to win a race the SF-26 had the pace to control.
Why it matters:
Fred Vasseur’s anger was not about the result alone. Ferrari had finally shown front-running speed, with Hamilton on pole and Leclerc second early, only for a self-inflicted clash to waste a major opportunity.
The details:
- Hamilton held the lead into Turn 1; Leclerc jumped George Russell for second, giving Ferrari a one-two at Turn 4.
- Both ran wide while disputing the same road. Leclerc cut the grass and took the lead, while Hamilton lost momentum and was passed by Verstappen.
- Leclerc was penalized five seconds for gaining an advantage but stayed ahead until his stop; after the red flag, Hamilton took P2 and Leclerc P4.
- Vasseur said track layout cannot excuse the clash and stressed respect for the 2,000 people working on the project.
- He also suggested drivers should have handled giving the place back themselves, as agreed pre-race.
What's next:
Vasseur wants the matter settled before São Paulo, where Ferrari expects another tight fight. The pace is there; the discipline must follow.
Original Article :https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/its-a-matter-of-respect-vasseur-airs-...