Fred Vasseur is set for clear-the-air talks between his two Ferrari drivers in Sao Paulo today

The two Ferraris fought hard on the opening lap in Mexico City, and Max Verstappen took advantage to win a race Ferrari believed it could have won. Hamilton had started from pole and finished second. Vasseur then accused both drivers of a "lack of respect" towards the team's staff.

After the race in Mexico, Vasseur spoke to each driver on his own and he wanted a proper sit-down once all three were in the same place. That could not happen earlier in the Brazil weekend, because Leclerc skipped Thursday's media day after he and his wife Alexandra announced the birth of their child on Wednesday.

Speaking at Interlagos on Thursday, Hamilton said the three had not met face to face since Mexico. Vasseur had gone back to Maranello and Leclerc had been in Monaco.

Hamilton did not hold back on Leclerc during his media session, as GPblog covered. Hamilton said he had been thinking ahead to Friday. "I've tried to think of what the meeting will be like, how it's going to go," he said. Asked what he wants from here, he replied: "I think it's about communication. It's about understanding." He also kept expectations in check.

This is not the first time Hamilton has publicly supported his boss this season. About a month ago, when Christian Horner was linked with Ferrari, he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that Vasseur "really is the guy to take this team in the right direction". That came after Ferrari had issued a statement of full confidence in the Frenchman.

Mexico is also not the first time Ferrari's drivers have needed to talk about how they race each other. A similar discussion took place after Monza when Leclerc cost Ferrari a chance of victory in the team's home race.

Vasseur faces the media at the FIA press conference at 14:30 local time on Friday, between practice sessions, and is likely to be asked whether he has finally got his drivers in the same room.