it’s funny that he thought he could fuck with the media and get away with it, as if ferrari’s number 1 concern isn’t their image
🔴 The meeting between Fred, Lewis and Charles was not just about what happened between the two drivers on the opening lap, but above all about what happened afterwards, when the sporting rivalry began to be fuelled by the seven-time world champion’s public statements, which seemed detached from reality.
What happened on Thursday evening, after Leclerc arrived in Brazil as a new father, was fairly pragmatic. Hamilton congratulated the Monegasque on the happy news in an initially more relaxed atmosphere, before the discussion moved on to the issues left unresolved in Mexico.
Vasseur wanted to make his position clear while also listening to the drivers' respective views. However, the main objective does not seem to have been so much to establish who was right or wrong in the on-track incident, but rather to prevent the situation from continuing to have repercussions for the entire team.
Before the meeting with Hamilton and Leclerc, Vasseur had held a virtual discussion with Ferrari’s management in Maranello. Ferrari must come first, regardless of the individual ambitions and tensions of its drivers.
No changes to the hierarchy, a decision that is consistent with an already established philosophy. Both Leclerc and Hamilton are competing “only” for a possible second place in the Drivers’ Championship, and no preferential treatment is planned in advance.
However, this approach seems to be less favourably received by Lewis, who believes that the advantage he has maintained over Leclerc in the standings since the beginning of the season should justify being given greater priority in the team’s decisions.
Hamilton would like his performances so far to be recognised in terms of the team’s internal hierarchy as well, while Ferrari continues to treat both drivers equally. Vasseur has tried to bring the discussion back within these boundaries, without introducing any new hierarchy or changing the rules of engagement.
After all, the problem does not seem to be so much the competition between the two drivers, but rather what this rivalry is generating away from the track.
When Hamilton claims that Leclerc adopts a particularly aggressive attitude towards his own teammates, the discussion indirectly ends up involving those responsible for managing the driver pairing as well.
This does not necessarily mean that the British driver wants to challenge Vasseur’s authority, but the seven-time world champion’s comments have had a negative impact, rather than being a desperate cry for help, forcing the team principal to intervene in an issue he would have preferred to address face-to-face, away from the spotlight.
The real test will not only be how the two drivers behave on track at Interlagos, but also what is said away from the cockpit. Because if the controversy continues, the team principal’s message could end up turning into an irreparable rift.
Hamilton arrived at Maranello with enormous sporting and media weight, as well as the ambition of building a new winning chapter in his career. But the support he enjoys within the Scuderia cannot be considered independently of the atmosphere that is now developing.
If Elkann also begins to show frustration with the consequences of this rivalry, it becomes legitimate to question how long Hamilton’s positions will continue to receive support within Ferrari, particularly if the British driver chooses to keep the confrontation with Leclerc alive.
#F1
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Formula 1 has today announced that the São Paulo Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until at least 2035 following a new five-year extension. The agreement secures the future of one of the sport’s most iconic venues, which has been part of the Formula 1 calendar for more than 50 years.
For more information, read here: corp.formula1.com/formula-1-…
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I understand the frustration and fear people feel about moto gp/ f1 taking place in the GCC after the events that have happened this year.
But it’s also irritating that people think these countries would risk the lives of their own people for the sake of an event.
lets ask alonso button rosberg and russell first❤️
Hamilton was asked whether he feels Leclerc races him more aggressively than other drivers, with the question referencing the Monegasque's approach when battling Max Verstappen in Singapore.
Lewis : « Yes. »
When pressed to elaborate, Hamilton refused to go into further detail:
LH: « I can't say more. If you look at the teammates, it's the same with Sebastian. It's the same with Carlos.
He's been here a long time. He's at eight years. Nine wins in the team. He's very much embedded within the team, and I knew that it would always be a challenge. I've always respected that, and I've approached the team. I've really worked hard to build a good relationship with Charles and bridge the gap and make sure that we're harmonious and we work hard together. Always try to be respectful.
Naturally, it's not so easy having someone like me come into a team because I'm very outspoken, and I push and push and push and push for so many changes. »
#F1 #BrazilGP 🇧🇷
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