Ferrari’s battle on the opening lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix has renewed the debate over whether the team needs formal rules governing how its drivers race. Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari should hold “serious talks behind closed doors” after the incident helped Max Verstappen take the lead. Hamilton finished second, with Leclerc third.
Hamilton argued that Ferrari could have won, potentially with a one-two finish, if the drivers had worked together. He said it was difficult when a team-mate fought against him and they both lost positions. Team principal Frederic Vasseur also described himself as frustrated.
Leclerc said both drivers had made a mistake at Turn Four and that there had been no contact. He also said Hamilton had pushed him off track at Turn One, adding that racing for a win should involve close competition. In Leclerc’s view, the incident did not merit the level of attention it had received.
The disagreement reflects a recurring challenge for Vasseur: Hamilton focused on the team’s result, while Leclerc emphasised the drivers’ right to race for victory. Ferrari’s result suffered, but Vasseur would also have needed to ask Leclerc to yield a potential win to Hamilton if he had ordered the pair not to fight on the opening lap. Hamilton acknowledged that Ferrari has no rules of engagement, while questioning whether such rules would have changed Leclerc’s actions.
The situation also changed when Verstappen passed Hamilton. Leclerc could potentially have returned the position to Hamilton earlier in the lap, but once Verstappen was between them, staying ahead was his only realistic option, according to the report. Hamilton said the team needed to work out a solution, adding that something had to change.
The report notes that McLaren has rules of engagement, including putting the team result first, but says it can be difficult to devise rules for specific racing situations. Even McLaren’s approach has not prevented problems between its drivers. The challenge could become greater for Ferrari if it has a car capable of fighting for a championship, when the stakes for both drivers would be higher.
The Q&A also addressed uncertainty over Formula 1’s planned end-of-season races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The report says there are concerns within the sport about holding the events amid conflict in the Middle East, although F1’s default position is for them to go ahead. Imola is being prepared as a possible replacement for Abu Dhabi if the races cannot take place, but a decision cannot be delayed much longer.
On Esteban Ocon, the report says Haas removed him from the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend after an apparent confrontation with team principal Ayao Komatsu. Ocon acknowledged a difference of views led to a discussion but rejected allegations of physical violence. Haas had not publicly explained the dispute. If Ocon does not return, the team could continue with Ryo Hirakawa or use Rafael Camara, who has already been signed for next year.
The Q&A also explained why drivers are allowed to change tyres during a red flag. The rule is intended for safety, including situations where debris may have damaged a tyre, even though it can eliminate a tyre-life advantage and alter a close contest. The report says there appears to be no current push to change it.
Sources: BBC Sport.