Vasseur compares Ferrari's dilemma to McLaren's 2025 Piastri mistake: 'Now we have time to discuss'

Speaking after Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, where a first-lap clash between his two drivers compounded a dismal home weekend for the Scuderia, Vasseur acknowledged the incident was "not good for the team" but insisted the policy of letting both drivers race freely had been the right call until now. Hamilton had earlier called for written rules of engagement at Ferrari, while Leclerc questioned who was forcing the rivalry narrative.

Rather than assigning blame for the first-corner incident, Vasseur drew a parallel with McLaren's experience last season, when Piastri led the standings before being overtaken by both Norris and Verstappen.

Piastri held a 34-point lead over teammate Lando Norris heading into the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, but his campaign unravelled over the closing months. Norris ultimately claimed the championship by just two points over Verstappen, with Piastri finishing the season third. Several poor results and key McLaren decisions, including the controversial Monza position swap, contributed to Piastri's decline. Vasseur's argument is clear that committing to the wrong driver at the wrong moment can cost a team everything.

While defending his previous stance, Vasseur made clear that the window for a decision is now open. "For sure, at one stage you have to take a decision but I think it was too early to take a decision before Monza," he said. "Now we have time to discuss with the guys."

The Frenchman also revealed he had only spoken to Hamilton "for two seconds" and "not at all with Charles" after the race. "I prefer to discuss with them first and not with you," he told the assembled media.

Hamilton currently sits 36 points clear of Leclerc in the championship, though both trail leader Kimi Antonelli by a considerable margin, with Hamilton 76 points adrift and a maximum of 258 still available over the rest of the season.

Whether Vasseur's McLaren comparison leads to formal team orders or simply a clearer set of internal rules, the conversation Ferrari's team boss has been postponing will now take place before the Madrid Grand Prix.