Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur downplayed any concerns about the intense battles between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season, highlighting the mutual respect between the drivers and their commitment to the team. Despite the wheel-to-wheel battles recorded in the first races of the year, the duo has not yet been involved in incidents, maintaining the integrity of the team’s results. According to the boss, this behavior reflects the drivers’ mindset.
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:”As long as we have both cars at the end, I’m happy that it’s a good emulation,” Vasseur told F1. “Everyone would prefer to have both cars in front, one in front and the other [behind]. I am very satisfied with that. They have enormous respect for each other,” he stated. “They know very well that Ferrari comes first, and they are doing a very good job on the track.”
In the championship scenario, Ferrari maintains consistency by reaching the podium in every round so far. Still, Mercedes has opened up a lead, while McLaren emerges as the main direct adversary of the Italian team. McLaren returned to the podium in Japan after a difficult start, with the first two rounds below expectations. Even so, Vasseur ensured that he never underestimated the rival:
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“It’s not because they didn’t start in China that they weren’t in the fight,” he said. “They were next to us on the grid. They were there. You can have a retirement or not start in this case, but they are there, and they were there, and they will continue to be there. Nothing changes for me.”
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