The Leclerc-Hamilton fight ignites the Chinese GP
There is no doubt: the internal battle within the Ferrari garage between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton was one of the most spectacular and memorable things of the entire 2026 Chinese GP weekend in Formula 1. The two Prancing Horse drivers had already done a dress rehearsal in the Sprint Race, only to repeat it, and in great style, in the race as well, although this favored Andrea Kimi Antonelli‘s escape and George Russell‘s overtake. However, it must be said that, even in the event of any team orders, the result would likely not have changed given the performance supremacy currently guaranteed by Mercedes. Thus, team principal Frederic Vasseur can be satisfied with the level shown by his two drivers, but also for finally having recovered the seven-time world champion after a 2025 to forget.
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The comment from team principal Frederic Vasseur
“The duel between Leclerc and Hamilton? No, it wasn’t too much – the French manager told Sky microphones after the race – on the contrary, I believe the situation was under control. Certainly, you are always a bit scared because anything can happen, but in the end, it is also very difficult to freeze positions on the track. They were doing a good job and you could never know what would happen in the end, so I think it was the right decision to let them fight. It is always the right decision when it ends like this (and there are no accidents instead, editor’s note). I think it was a great battle, good for the team, good for F1, and good for the fans. I prefer to let them race rather than freeze positions”.
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Vasseur then also spoke about Lewis Hamilton’s condition, currently at 1-1 against Charles Leclerc in both qualifying and the race at the start of this F1 World Championship: “I think that probably the fact that he is closer to us, and that he now knows everyone in the team, is helping him. Lewis has been part of this car’s project since day one, he worked on development in the simulator six months ago, and for sure the situation is different compared to last year. But I don’t want to go as far as saying that this is Hamilton’s or Leclerc’s car, this car is the team’s car and Lewis certainly participated in the development from day one, but he has also improved his relationship with every member of the team. I think this is the right direction for him”.
