Ferrari’s chief, Fred Vasseur, faces mounting pressure to formalise team orders between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after repeated on‑track frustrations.
Pressure builds after Dutch and Italian rounds
During the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton’s fourth‑place finish was marred by audible complaints to the radio crew over a lack of direction, while Leclerc finished fifth. The clash of the Italian opening lap added further urgency to the conversation about team protocols.
Former IndyCar driver and pundit James Hinchcliffe, on F1 TV’s Weekend Warm‑Up, warned that “the amount of pressure is tremendous” as the season’s 14th race goes by yet the rules of engagement remain unclear. “McLaren and Mercedes have clear guidelines; Ferrari has to catch up,” he said.
Vasseur’s response and the “rules of engagement”
In an exclusive Motorsport.com interview, Vasseur confirmed that discussions with both drivers occurred after the Italian event but dismissed any claim of an internal crisis. “Contracts cannot predict every possible scenario on track; interpretation becomes inevitable,” he added.
Coming up: Spanish Grand Prix at Motorland Aragón
The next test arrives at the Spanish circuit on Sunday 13 September, where Hamilton and Leclerc will face each other once more under the looming expectation of clearer team orders.
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