Ferrari confronts internal rivalry ahead of São Paulo Grand Prix

Ferrari entered the final round of the 2026 Formula One season in São Paulo with a strained relationship between its two lead drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The tension stems from an incident at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where the pair made contact on the first lap, allowing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to take the victory and denying Ferrari a likely one‑two result.

Following the Mexico race, Hamilton publicly described the situation as a "big problem" for the team and called for "serious talks". The team responded by arranging a meeting on Thursday evening, after both drivers and Vasseur returned to Brazil from a brief stay in Europe. Vasseur later told the press that the discussion "went well" and helped to "clarify our positions" before the team turned its focus to the upcoming race.

The Guardian notes that the clash is part of a broader pattern of on‑track disputes between the two drivers, citing earlier incidents at Zandvoort and Monza where strategic disagreements and overtaking attempts led to friction. Vasseur has warned that such incidents risk undermining Ferrari’s long‑term goal of challenging for the drivers’ championship, a target the team has not achieved since 2007.

Mercedes, Ferrari’s chief rival, is set to secure the constructors’ title at the São Paulo event, according to BBC Sport. The British team aims to finish the season with a three‑point advantage over Ferrari, reinforcing its dominant form in the latter half of the year after a slower start. Meanwhile, Ferrari hopes to use the remaining race to assess its driver dynamics and plan for the 2027 season, where both Hamilton and Leclerc will be expected to compete for the top spot within the team.

Analysts suggest that the outcome of the internal discussions could shape Ferrari’s driver management strategy for the next year. Without a clear hierarchy, the team may need to introduce formal guidelines to prevent further on‑track conflicts, a step similar to measures adopted by other manufacturers in previous seasons.