Leclerc and Hamilton routinely exchanged the final podium spot throughout the race in Shanghai, overtaking in unorthodox places across several laps, and seemingly having all the fun in the world while doing so.

What was also noticeable during the Grand Prix was the lack of team orders coming from the Scuderia, with Vasseur arguing the best way to "build up a team" was through such hard battling.

Speaking to media, including GPblog, Vasseur was asked on that lack of team orders to either Leclerc or Hamilton, who were reporting "good fun" on the team radio.

Vasseur said: "Yeah, huge respect for both of them, they are professional and I think it makes sense in this situation to let them race.

Vasseur was then asked on Mercedes' performance, with the Ferrari boss admitting his team are still "far away" from the 2026 favourites, who have scored two one-two wins in a row, but that the Scuderia are nonetheless "closing the gap."

With so much hinging on battery levels and deployment in F1 2026, racing has had something of a 'yo-yo' effect in terms of overtaking, with some drivers, including Max Verstappen, likening the new rules to something out of 'Mario Kart.'

Leclerc, however, has a slightly different view after his thrilling battle wit Hamilton, instead arguing the new rules have made the 2026 cars "actually quite fun" in race trim.

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