Lewis Hamilton said he and Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur have already discussed the tensions that emerged after the Italian Grand Prix, insisting that the relationship remains positive despite differences over how the team should manage its drivers.

Speaking at the Spanish Grand Prix press conference in Madrid on Thursday (10), attended by GRANDE PRÊMIO, Hamilton said he spoke directly with Vasseur on Monday to clarify the situation after his clash with Charles Leclerc at Monza.

The seven-time world champion had called for clearer rules of engagement inside Ferrari after Leclerc forced him wide during the opening lap of the Italian GP. Hamilton subsequently finished sixth, while Leclerc retired after a heavy crash on the following lap.

Since then, Ferrari has indicated that it will review how the two drivers race each other, although Vasseur has maintained that it is still too early to impose team orders. Vasseur previously defended keeping Hamilton and Leclerc free to race while acknowledging that Ferrari will eventually have to make a decision.

Hamilton, however, played down the possibility of a deeper internal problem at Ferrari when asked about his relationship with Vasseur in Madrid.

“It’s been positive. I spoke to Fred on Monday to clarify. Naturally, we’re going to have different opinions, but at the end of the day we stick together and find a way forward. I think that’s the positive thing about where we’ve come over the last 15 years. We have a place where we have great internal communication, the same between Charles and me,” Hamilton said.

The Ferrari driver also suggested that disagreements between teammates and team management are nothing unusual in Formula 1.

“I think, if you look at the history of the sport, it’s happened before. It’s nothing major,” he added.

Hamilton insists Ferrari can resolve internal disagreements

Hamilton’s comments represent a more conciliatory tone compared with his immediate reaction to the Italian GP.

After Monza, the Briton had criticized Ferrari’s lack of formal rules for intra-team battles, contrasting the situation with his years at Mercedes, where he said written rules of engagement helped prevent similar problems.

He later stressed that his criticism was aimed at improving Ferrari’s processes rather than attacking individual members of the organization. Hamilton had already called for Ferrari to change the way it communicates internally after the disappointing Monza weekend.

The situation with Leclerc has also cooled. The Monegasque admitted in Madrid that he had been too aggressive during the opening-lap battle, while Hamilton said the two Ferrari drivers had discussed the incident privately.

Ferrari therefore arrives at its first Spanish Grand Prix at Madring attempting to put the Monza controversy behind it.

The team remains second in the Constructors’ Championship but has fallen well behind Mercedes, while Hamilton is third in the Drivers’ standings behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

Hamilton admits title fight is becoming increasingly difficult

Hamilton was also asked by GRANDE PRÊMIO whether he still believes he can challenge for the 2026 Drivers’ Championship.

The Ferrari driver currently sits third, 76 points behind championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes driver’s victory at Monza.

Hamilton acknowledged that the numbers still leave the possibility open, but admitted the gap represents a significant challenge at this stage of the season.

“Mathematically, it is. But it’s the biggest gap I’ve seen in a long time. At this point in the year, the fact is that Mercedes are leading. They’re ahead and they’re doing a fantastic job,” Hamilton said.

The Briton nevertheless insisted that Ferrari’s priority must be to maximize its performance at every remaining race rather than become distracted by the championship deficit.

“I think we should focus on trying our best every weekend. That’s all we can do,” he added.

Hamilton’s comments come after a difficult Italian GP for Ferrari, where the team scored only eight points at its home race. Leclerc’s retirement and Hamilton’s sixth-place finish compounded what had already been a frustrating weekend for the Scuderia.

The team now has an opportunity to respond at Madring, where the Spanish Grand Prix will be held for the first time.

GRANDE PRÊMIO is covering the entire Spanish GP weekend from Madrid, with the new circuit hosting the 14th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season from September 11-13.

News Summary

FAQ

How far behind is Lewis Hamilton in the 2026 F1 championship?

Hamilton is 76 points behind championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

What happened between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Monza?

The Ferrari teammates fought for position through the opening chicane, with Hamilton forced onto the gravel and losing several places. Leclerc later retired after a heavy crash, while Hamilton recovered to finish sixth.

Does Ferrari have team orders for Hamilton and Leclerc?

Not yet. Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur has said it is still too early to impose a hierarchy, although the team is reviewing how its two drivers race each other.