Vasseur on Ferrari's 'stupid' risk in letting Hamilton and Leclerc race

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur admitted his decision to let Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc battle for the podium in Shanghai carried the risk of looking “completely stupid,” but defended it as a vital move for building team spirit and internal competition. Hamilton ultimately secured his first podium for Ferrari, finishing third ahead of Leclerc after a thrilling, clean wheel-to-wheel fight.

Why it matters:

In an era where team orders are often used to protect positions and points, Vasseur's hands-off approach signals a commitment to fostering a competitive and transparent environment within the Scuderia. Allowing two champions to race hard, especially so early in Hamilton's tenure with the team, builds mutual respect and drives performance, which is crucial for a team aiming to close the gap to a dominant Mercedes.

The details:

• The intense battle unfolded as the Ferraris, unable to match the pace of the Mercedes cars, fought each other for the final podium spot behind winner Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
• Hamilton and Leclerc exchanged positions multiple times in what both drivers described as a fair and hard fight, with Leclerc noting they had a brief “kiss” of contact.
• Team Radio Reactions: During the fight, Leclerc told his engineer it was “actually quite a fun battle,” while Hamilton commented it was “just what we want,” indicating both drivers appreciated the freedom to race.
• Vasseur's Rationale: The team principal stated, “I think it’s also the best way to build up a team. We need to have this kind of emulation into the team to improve.” He emphasized his trust in the drivers' professionalism.
• Hamilton's Breakthrough: The British driver's podium came in his second season with Ferrari, which Vasseur attributes to greater integration. Hamilton was involved in the 2026 car project from the simulator phase in mid-2025, leading to stronger relationships and a deeper involvement than in his first year.

What's next:

The decision paid immediate dividends in team harmony and delivered a podium, but the real test is whether this philosophy translates into sustained performance gains.

• Leclerc (34 points) and Hamilton (33 points) are closely matched in the Drivers' standings, but Ferrari trails Mercedes by 31 points in the Constructors' Championship.
• Vasseur's strategy hinges on this internal “emulation” creating marginal gains to close the gap to the front. The team's ability to manage this competitive dynamic while developing the car will define their 2026 season.