Ferrari sets clear Hamilton-Leclerc rules: Could this be the key to their comeback?

Speaking to Belgian broadcaster RTBF, Vasseur said the atmosphere in Maranello is positive, but insisted that a healthy dose of internal competition is essential for success.

"It's going very well, they are super focused and motivated. There is a very good understanding," he explained.

"But there needs to be a bit of a rivalry between them. I don't want them to be best friends. Not enemies either, but they are competitors above all," the Frenchman clarified.

"It has to stay in that area, they always try to do better than the other. That's what drives them. The state of mind is in any case very positive and healthy."

Vasseur’s comments highlight Ferrari’s approach to maximising performance by letting its drivers push each other without tipping into intra-team tension.

Both Hamilton and Leclerc have endured a challenging season so far, with Ferrari still searching for their first win of 2025, but recent upgrades have sparked optimism ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Frenchman also added a light-hearted remark about working with the seven-time world champion, who turned 40 this year: "Do I feel like I have a rookie in Lewis, despite his 40 years? I'm much older, and I'm still a young man!"

With Ferrari playing catch-up to Red Bull and McLaren, Vasseur is relying on Hamilton and Leclerc to extract every tenth out of the SF-25.

By encouraging a rivalry based on respect rather than friendship, Ferrari may hope to recreate the kind of intra-team push that has historically elevated championship contenders.

If the upgrades deliver and both drivers keep each other sharp, Spa and Hungary could mark the start of a much-needed turnaround for Maranello.