The Leclerc-Hamilton fight ignites the Chinese GP
There is no doubt: the fight is all internal to the garage Ferrari Between Charles Leclerc And Lewis Hamiltonit was one of the most spectacular and memorable things of the entire weekend Chinese GP 2026 of Formula 1. The two Cavallino drivers had already done the general tests in the Sprint Race, only to then replicate, and in great style, also in the race, although thus favoring the escape of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and the overtaking of George Russell. However, it must be said that, even in the case of possible team orders, the result would hardly have changed given the performance supremacy currently guaranteed by Mercedes. So does the team principal Frederic Vasseur he can be satisfied with the level shown by his two drivers, but also for having finally recovered the seven-time world champion after a 2025 to forget.
Comment from team principal Frederic Vasseur
“The duel between Leclerc and Hamilton? No, it wasn’t too much – said the French manager to Sky microphones after the match – in fact I believe the situation was under control. Of course you’re always a little scared because anything can happen, but in the end it’s also very difficult to freeze positions on the track. They were doing a great job and you never knew what would happen in the end, so I think it was the right decision to make them fight. It’s always the right decision when it ends like this (and there are no accidents, ed). I think it was one good battle, good for the team, good for F1 and good for the fans. I prefer to let them run rather than freeze positions”.
Vasseur then also spoke about the condition of Lewis Hamilton, currently at 1-1 against Charles Leclerc both in qualifying and in the race at the start of the F1 World Championship: “I think probably the fact that he is closer to us, and now knows everyone in the team is helping him. Lewis has been part of the project for this car since day one, he worked on the development in the simulator six months ago, and for sure the situation is different to last year. But I don’t want to go so far as to say this is Hamilton’s car or Leclerc’s car, this car is the team’s car and Lewis has certainly been involved in the development since day one, but he has also improved the relationship with every member of the team. I think this is the right direction for him”.
