Ferrari’s internal tensions have reached a dangerous stage following the controversial opening-lap incident between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the Mexican Grand Prix, with former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner issuing a dramatic warning about what could happen if the two drivers continue undermining their team’s ambitions. According to Steiner, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur may eventually have to take an uncompromising approach, potentially threatening to send both drivers home if their rivalry continues costing the Scuderia valuable results.
The warning comes after Ferrari appeared capable of securing a remarkable result in Mexico before its two drivers became involved in a controversial battle at Turn 4. Leclerc attempted an outside move on Hamilton, with both cars running wide and the Monegasque retaining the position. Hamilton subsequently lost ground to Max Verstappen, who capitalised on the situation to claim victory.
Leclerc received a five-second penalty for the incident and eventually finished fourth, while Hamilton secured second place. Ferrari consequently missed a potentially significant opportunity to deliver a victory and strengthen its position during the closing stages of the 2026 championship.
The aftermath has exposed a growing disagreement within the Ferrari camp, with Hamilton expressing frustration over the lost opportunity and Leclerc acknowledging that discussions with his teammate would be necessary.
GUENTHER STEINER WARNS FRED VASSEUR COULD TAKE DRASTIC ACTION
Steiner believes Ferrari’s leadership may eventually reach a point where it can no longer tolerate repeated disagreements between its drivers.
Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, the former Haas team principal suggested that Vasseur could eventually issue a direct warning to Hamilton and Leclerc if their rivalry continues damaging the team’s results.
He explained that Ferrari possesses two drivers capable of winning races, making the situation both an advantage and a potential management nightmare.
Steiner’s argument is that having two highly competitive drivers should strengthen Ferrari rather than create unnecessary problems.
However, when both competitors prioritise individual success over the team’s wider objectives, the situation can quickly become counterproductive.
Steiner warned:
“I think at some stage, Fred will say it. ‘Hey guys, if you don’t work for the team, we send you home.'”
He added that without a serious intervention, Vasseur could find himself increasingly frustrated by the situation.
The comments represent a particularly strong warning because Ferrari’s championship ambitions depend heavily on maximising every opportunity available.
FERRARI’S MEXICO GP DISASTER COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED
The controversy surrounding Hamilton and Leclerc has become one of the most significant talking points following the Mexican Grand Prix.
Ferrari entered the race with a competitive opportunity, but the opening-lap battle between its drivers immediately complicated its ambitions.
Leclerc attempted to pass Hamilton around the outside at Turn 4, with both drivers running wide during the manoeuvre.
Leclerc retained the position, while Hamilton emerged behind Verstappen, who subsequently took advantage of the situation to win the race.
The five-second penalty handed to Leclerc further complicated Ferrari’s result.
Although Hamilton finished second, the team was left questioning whether it could have achieved an even stronger outcome without the opening-lap controversy.
For Ferrari, the incident was particularly frustrating because both drivers possess the pace and experience required to challenge for victories.
The problem is therefore not a lack of talent.
It is the possibility that internal competition could repeatedly prevent Ferrari from converting its performance into the results it needs.
LEWIS HAMILTON AND CHARLES LECLERC MUST ANSWER FERRARI’S BIGGEST QUESTION
The central issue facing Ferrari is whether Hamilton and Leclerc can continue competing aggressively without damaging the team’s overall objectives.
Hamilton was reportedly unhappy following the Mexican Grand Prix, believing Ferrari had the pace to win but lost the opportunity because of the opening-lap incident.
Leclerc, meanwhile, was also frustrated after returning to Ferrari hospitality and accepted that conversations with his teammate would be necessary.
The situation places Vasseur in a difficult position.
Both drivers are highly accomplished competitors, and imposing restrictions on their racing could create dissatisfaction within the team.
However, allowing the same situation to happen repeatedly could undermine Ferrari’s championship ambitions.
The team principal must therefore determine how much freedom his drivers should have when fighting for position against one another.
Without clearly established expectations, every controversial battle could become another source of tension.
FERRARI NEEDS ITS OWN ‘SCARLET RULES’ BEFORE THE NEXT DISASTER
The Mexico GP incident has strengthened calls for Ferrari to establish clearer rules governing its drivers’ battles.
Such arrangements would not necessarily require the team to prohibit Hamilton and Leclerc from racing each other.
Instead, Ferrari could establish specific expectations concerning overtaking attempts, defensive manoeuvres, track limits and situations where one driver must prioritise the team’s strategic interests.
The objective would be to prevent unnecessary risks while preserving the competitive freedom that makes Formula 1 exciting.
However, establishing these rules would not automatically solve Ferrari’s problems.
The drivers would still need to accept the arrangements and demonstrate that they are willing to follow them even when championship ambitions are at stake.
Vasseur could also face criticism if he introduces restrictions after allowing Hamilton and Leclerc to compete freely throughout the season.
That is why the Mexican GP controversy presents such a complicated management challenge.
Ferrari must find a balance between protecting its results and maintaining the confidence of two drivers who believe they deserve opportunities to win.
MARTIN BRUNDLE BELIEVES FERRARI’S DRIVER CONFLICT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN
Steiner is not the only experienced Formula 1 figure concerned about Ferrari’s situation.
Martin Brundle has also expressed doubts about whether meetings and discussions alone will prevent another confrontation between Hamilton and Leclerc.
The concern is understandable.
Both drivers have strong competitive instincts and enormous personal ambitions, making it difficult to imagine them simply accepting a permanent hierarchy without resistance.
Hamilton arrived at Ferrari hoping to add another championship chapter to his extraordinary career, while Leclerc continues searching for the breakthrough that would establish him as a world champion.
Neither driver wants to become a supporting character in the other’s championship ambitions.
That competitive tension can be beneficial when it pushes both drivers to improve.
However, it becomes dangerous when it creates situations in which Ferrari loses opportunities that could otherwise have been converted into victories.
The Mexican Grand Prix has therefore raised an uncomfortable possibility: Ferrari’s biggest obstacle may not always be its rivals, but the competition unfolding inside its own garage.
LECLERC AND HAMILTON’S CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS MAKE THE SITUATION EVEN MORE COMPLICATED
The rivalry between Ferrari’s drivers is particularly difficult to manage because both remain involved in the championship battle.
Hamilton sits third in the standings, just two points behind Verstappen, while Leclerc occupies fifth position, five points behind George Russell.
The 14-point difference between the Ferrari teammates means that both drivers still have reasons to pursue strong individual results.
With the championship approaching its final stages, every position carries significant value.
Hamilton will be determined to recover ground against Verstappen, while Leclerc will want to close the gap to Russell and improve his position.
Ferrari must therefore manage two competing objectives: allowing its drivers to maximise their individual championship opportunities while ensuring the team does not lose valuable points through unnecessary internal battles.
That balance could become increasingly difficult during the remaining races.
If another incident occurs, Vasseur may face pressure to introduce stricter arrangements immediately.
FRED VASSEUR’S NEXT DECISION COULD DEFINE FERRARI’S SEASON
The Brazilian Grand Prix now represents an important opportunity for Ferrari to demonstrate that the Mexican controversy has been addressed.
Vasseur must decide whether to rely on private discussions and mutual understanding or introduce a more explicit framework governing Hamilton and Leclerc’s battles.
Steiner’s warning has made the consequences of continued conflict particularly clear.
Ferrari cannot afford to repeatedly sacrifice valuable results because its drivers become involved in avoidable disputes.
At the same time, threatening to send both drivers home would be an extraordinary step that could create even greater instability within the team.
The most realistic solution may involve stronger instructions, clearer expectations and consequences for behaviour that directly damages Ferrari’s competitive objectives.
However, those arrangements will only work if Hamilton and Leclerc accept that their individual ambitions must sometimes take second place to the team’s interests.
GUENTHER STEINER’S WARNING HAS PUT FERRARI UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
Ferrari’s Mexico GP controversy has exposed a problem that could become increasingly damaging if left unresolved.
Hamilton and Leclerc possess the talent to deliver victories, but their competitive instincts have also created a situation in which Ferrari must constantly manage the risk of internal conflict.
Steiner’s warning that Vasseur could eventually send them home represents a dramatic illustration of how serious the situation could become.
The Ferrari team principal now faces a decision that could influence the remainder of the season and potentially shape the team’s approach to future championship campaigns.
If Hamilton and Leclerc clash again and Ferrari loses another victory, Vasseur may find that private conversations are no longer enough.
The question is whether Ferrari will establish stronger rules before another costly incident forces its hand.
