Fred Vasseur calls for unity after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tension

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has held showdown talks with his warring drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, insisting he does not need the pair to be “best friends”.

Hamilton was furious with Leclerc for a lap-one move in Mexico last weekend, questioning the 29-year-old’s mentality.

The seven-time world champion vowed not to be silenced as he arrived in Brazil, suggesting Leclerc races against him differently to how he approaches other drivers.

The Monegasque’s arrival in Brazil was delayed as he attended the birth of his first child, meaning Vasseur’s chance to smooth the waters between the Scuderia pair was put on hold.

The Frenchman is demanding that they remain professional and show respect for the Ferrari brand.

“It was good to discuss, good to clarify my position and their position,” Vasseur said in Brazil on Friday.

“Now we turn the page and we are focused on the next one. I’m not asking them to be best friends.

“I think it would be even probably a bit negative. I’m just asking them to act and to work as professionals and this is it.”

Hamilton’s outspoken remarks have reportedly ruffled feathers at Ferrari, a team at which Leclerc has been for a decade.

The 41-year-old wants a written rule of engagement between the pair, but acknowledged this week that Leclerc’s status with the team makes his demands for change more challenging.

Asked if he was concerned about Hamilton’s language, Vasseur added: “No but this I was clear with Lewis and I will keep it between Lewis and me.”

Hamilton felt Leclerc’s move – for which he was penalised – cost Ferrari a one-two in Mexico, with the seven-time world champion losing out to race-winner Max Verstappen.

“For sure, in this situation, we failed collectively because we were one-two and we didn’t win the race,” Vasseur said.

“At the end, that means that it’s clear that we failed and we have to react. But the conclusion of the meeting was clear that it was a clear reminder that Ferrari is coming first.

“We had a discussion, it has to stay private. It’s a matter of respect also for them and for the team and once again, the most important is the message.

“The message is that we are working for a brand, we are working for sponsors but I would say probably mainly also the employees of the team.”

Hamilton joined Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season and is currently battling for second in the championship – a four-way fight with Verstappen, George Russell and Leclerc.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff oversaw six of Hamilton’s seven world championship wins, including negotiating his fierce battle with team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Sitting next to Vasseur during Friday’s press conference at Interlagos, Wolff chose to interject to say he understands the Ferrari boss’ struggle.

“Fred here doesn’t need any advice from me but it’s like a deja vu because you’ve asked me the exactly same questions for how many years? 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, that was it and then Nico called it a day,” Wolff said.

“Sometimes when you put two strong drivers in there, the best ones have edges and they want to win and that is a situation that is always very difficult to cope.

“So in that respect, I can so relate to what Fred goes through at the moment and I think sometimes it needs the really tough moments like the last race to make a point.”