Turns out Ferrari’s warring drivers didn’t need Fred Vasseur playing marriage counsellor after all. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc sat down, talked like adults and squashed the tension that erupted following their Mexico first-lap tangle.
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Hamilton delivered that message Saturday at Interlagos after qualifying 11th in rain-soaked conditions, knowing he’ll start Sunday’s São Paulo Grand Prix from the back of the grid after copping penalties for taking two new engines.
When asked if his relationship with Leclerc had improved following Thursday evening’s clear-the-air talks supposedly orchestrated by Vasseur, Hamilton immediately corrected the narrative.
“Fred hasn’t cleared the air. It was me and Charles,” the seven-time champion said bluntly. “We sat and we spoke, we squashed it. And we’re moving on. We still have a huge amount of respect for each other.”
ALSO READ: Hamilton and Leclerc clash costs Ferrari victory in Mexico meltdown
When talking solves what team orders can’t
Hamilton emphasised the adult nature of their resolution, highlighting that no demands were issued and both simply acknowledged areas requiring improvement.
“I’m glad we had a chat and now we move on. We’ve been getting along just fine, as normal,” Hamilton said. “Sometimes in those certain scenarios, it just takes having a conversation. There’s been no demands from either side. It’s just been both of us giving our points in areas we can do better and support each other.”
“I’m hoping to have better races now, moving forward.”
ALSO READ: Frustration remains ahead of Hamilton’s 400th race
Leclerc, who’d returned to Monaco after Mexico for the birth of his daughter before qualifying fourth Saturday (though he’ll start 14th due to a 10-place penalty for taking a new engine), agreed that simply talking resolved what management couldn’t.
“When we speak, things are much better straightaway,” Leclerc said. “Of course, there is some tension. We want to finish ahead of each other and sometimes we are not going to do things right, but it’s OK to disagree sometimes on the way you see things. But discussing things helps a whole lot.”
Back-of-grid start provides rain practice
For Hamilton, Saturday’s qualifying offered unexpected benefits despite the grid penalty relegating him to the back regardless of where he qualified.
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“I love qualifying and getting to drive in the rain, and this is such an amazing track to race in all conditions, but in the wet particularly,” Hamilton said. “It was really a bit of a practice for me in case it is wet again tomorrow.”
That’s Hamilton reframing disappointment as opportunity, using penalty-mandated back-of-grid starting positions as wet-weather testing sessions whilst preparing for his 400th Grand Prix.
