Ferrari's handling of Hamilton and Leclerc comes under fresh fire
Photo: Race Pictures Photo: Race Pictures Massa questions Ferrari's management of Hamilton and Leclerc Speaking on the High Performance podcast, the Brazilian suggested that the relationship between Ferrari's drivers has become more difficult because the team is not performing at the level expected.
Key points
- The situation became serious enough for the Frenchman to organise a private meeting ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, where both drivers were reminded that Ferrari's interests must come before their individual ambitions.
- According to Massa, the team had established a clear agreement that allowed both drivers to compete freely during the early stages of the season, provided they respected each other and avoided compromising Ferrari's results.
- Their opening-lap battle for the lead resulted in both drivers running off the track, costing the Scuderia a potential one-two finish and leaving Hamilton furious with his teammate's approach.
Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has questioned how the Italian team is managing the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, suggesting that its lack of competitiveness has contributed to tensions between the two.
Additional details
- Massa recalls Ferrari's successful approach with Räikkönen To explain how Ferrari could improve the situation, Massa pointed to the system used during his partnership with Kimi Räikkönen.
- The seven-time world champion subsequently called for clearer rules of engagement, questioning the way Leclerc had raced him and demanding discussions with team principal Fred Vasseur.
- Raikkonen also secured the 2007 Drivers' Championship, which remains Ferrari's most recent title in that category.
- Massa, who represented Ferrari between 2006 and 2013, believes the situation requires a more structured approach, particularly when the team is struggling to deliver competitive machinery.
- The Brazilian believes Ferrari should establish clearer rules for its drivers, drawing on his experience alongside Kimi Räikkönen during the Scuderia's last championship-winning era.
How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →
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