Vasseur praises Hamilton-Leclerc battle that avoided Ferrari 'embarrassment'

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur praised the "professional" wheel-to-wheel fight between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the Chinese Grand Prix, admitting that not issuing team orders was a risk that could have made the team look "completely stupid." The intense battle for the final podium spot highlighted Ferrari's commitment to letting its drivers race freely, even as the team acknowledges it remains "far away" from the dominant Mercedes team.

Why it matters:

In an era where strategic team orders are common, Ferrari's decision to allow its drivers to fight hard on track—despite the risk of a collision—signals a deliberate philosophy under Vasseur to foster internal competition and build team strength. This approach, while risky, is seen as essential for long-term development and driver morale, especially for a team still chasing the front-running pace.

The details:

• Vasseur emphasized "huge respect" for both drivers, stating that letting them race "makes sense" and is "the best way to build up a team."
• Both Leclerc and Hamilton reported having "good fun" during their multi-lap duel, which featured overtakes in unorthodox parts of the Shanghai circuit.
• On the performance gap to Mercedes, Vasseur was candid: "We know that we have a deficit of performance, mainly in the straight line... They are still far away."
  • He noted, however, that Ferrari is "closing the gap," citing a reduction in their qualifying deficit from eight-tenths in Melbourne to four-tenths in Shanghai.
• Charles Leclerc used the battle to counter criticism of F1's 2026 technical regulations, calling the racing with the new cars "actually quite fun" in race trim, a contrast to other drivers who have likened the effect to 'Mario Kart.'

What's next:

Ferrari's immediate focus is a multi-faceted development push to catch Mercedes. Vasseur stressed the need to improve "everywhere"—not just the power unit but also the chassis and tire management. The team's willingness to let its drivers compete fiercely internally will continue to be tested, especially as the championship develops and points become more critical.