Hamilton says Ferrari-Leclerc issues are squashed after São Paulo talk
NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 11, 2026
Hamilton and Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton said the issues between him and Charles Leclerc had been “squashed” after a conversation in São Paulo, easing one of the sharper flash points inside Ferrari. The remark came after the pair’s first-lap clash at the Mexico City Grand Prix spoiled what looked like a likely Ferrari one-two finish. Hamilton’s comment pointed to a calmer garage, at least for now, after a race that left the team without the result it seemed to have in reach. He also entered the latest stretch of the title fight with an edge over Leclerc in the drivers’ championship, a detail that only sharpened the attention around how Ferrari managed its two lead drivers. For Hamilton, the message was simple. The tension that followed Mexico City had been addressed, and the focus shifted back to performance.
Damon Hill backs
Hill called on Ferrari to make Lewis Hamilton its number one driver over Leclerc, saying the team had invested heavily in Hamilton and needed to settle its internal politics. Hill’s argument rested on what Hamilton had already shown inside the team. He said Hamilton had rebuilt himself after losing the title decider in Abu Dhabi, then pointed to his pole positions, first Ferrari win in Barcelona and multiple podium finishes as evidence that he could deliver. Hill also said the new technical regulations had helped Hamilton’s recovery. His view was direct. Ferrari could not afford to split its focus if it wanted to get the best from a lineup built around two proven drivers. Hill said the team had to settle the politics around the garage and choose a clear direction.
Anthony Davidson warns
Davidson took a different line, saying number-one status should be earned rather than assigned. He said he would not be comfortable with a blanket order for Hamilton to finish ahead of Leclerc, which put the issue squarely on performance rather than hierarchy. That view went to the heart of Ferrari’s challenge. The team had two drivers capable of fighting at the front, but that same strength could turn into friction when both were racing for the same result. Hill said Ferrari could not win if both drivers kept racing each other, while Davidson’s stance left the door open for competition to decide the pecking order. The contrast between the two opinions captured the pressure on Ferrari’s leadership. One approach asked for a clear team order and a settled structure. The other asked for merit to decide the issue on track. Between those poles, Ferrari still had to manage a partnership that could produce strong results only if the team kept its internal battle under control.
