By: The incident involving Hamilton and Leclerc at the start of the Mexico City Grand Prix suddenly shone the spotlight on the internal management of Scuderia Ferrari. A matter for which team principal Frédéric Vasseur himself should be held accountable (read more here).
Vasseur has a responsibility to answer for his drivers’ actions and, frankly, the most worrying aspect, beyond the way Ferrari speaks about the issues involving its drivers, is that it managed to fuel Lewis Hamilton’s complaints, turning an internal dispute into a case of cosmic proportions when, in reality, there is no genuine reason for outrage.
What exactly is supposed to be shaking the masses?
No, really… what is the reason? Did either driver retire or destroy the car? Did either one fall to the bottom of the order? Did the incident compromise the season and put their position in the constructors’ championship at risk? Did Leclerc – because Charles is the one being discussed here – cost Hamilton the world championship?
Perhaps people should take a closer look at the championship standings, because that does not appear to be the situation. It is a non-story blown out of proportion. The two drivers were almost side by side and, with victory in that duel giving them a genuine chance to fight for the win, both kept their foot down and tried to claim the lead of the race. Did that move cost Ferrari victory? Perhaps, but it is not important.
Ferrari’s drivers have character; they are not puppets
The championship did not hinge on this race and, when all was said and done, Hamilton finished second and Leclerc fourth. Looking at what everyone else did, that is a very respectable haul.
The controversy erupted partly because of Ferrari itself, but also because of the huge horde that immediately pointed the finger at the drivers. Most of it was aimed at Leclerc, with a smaller share directed at Hamilton. But this is where people need to decide which side they are on… There are two options: either you like ‘‘limp’’ drivers, perhaps very strong ones, but not particularly decisive when they really need to take the bull by the horns; or you accept that, if a team has two drivers who come out in hives at the mere thought of finishing second, then when they have the chance to win, they will go for it. Sometimes things work out as they should, sometimes they do not. That has to be accepted. Especially in Mexico, where, despite everything, they finished the race with both cars intact, in second and fourth.
Both tried to win and both had their chance. They were slowed by the incident, yes, but both drove a clean race in which they gave everything they had in an attempt to win.
Drivers are not puppets. Hamilton and Leclerc certainly are not, and unless there is a genuine reason to make way for a team-mate – and there was not one in Mexico – neither will be willing to lift off. That is a fact.
Cover photo: X, Ferrari
Inside photo: X, Ferrari
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the Mexican GP 2026
