Key Highlights:
- Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur humorously rejected the idea of becoming godfather to Charles Leclerc’s newborn daughter, Bianca, citing that he already has four children at home.
- Vasseur addressed intra-team dynamics following an opening-lap clash between Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the Mexican Grand Prix, defending his ultra-competitive driver pairing.
- Ferrari remains second in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship with 504 points as the team focuses on managing on-track rivalries during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend.
Fred Vasseur’s Lighthearted Response to Charles Leclerc’s Family Milestone
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur brought a moment of levity to the paddock during Friday’s press conference at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, humorously excluding himself from consideration as the godfather to Charles Leclerc’s newly born child. Leclerc and his wife, Alexandra, announced the arrival of their first child, a daughter named Bianca, earlier in the week on Wednesday.
When media members shifted focus from internal garage tensions to Leclerc’s major personal milestone, Vasseur was asked whether the Monegasque racing driver had formally extended an invitation for the godfather role. The French team chief was quick to dismiss the possibility with a witty remark. “I have four children at home and I don’t want to be the godfather of all the children of my drivers,”
he replied.
Managing Intra-Team Clashes: Hamilton and Leclerc in Mexico
The lighthearted exchange followed intense media scrutiny regarding potential friction inside the Scuderia Ferrari garage. At the preceding Mexican Grand Prix, Leclerc and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton made headlines during a fiery opening-lap confrontation. Leclerc attempted an aggressive overtake on Hamilton—who had started the Grand Prix from pole position—heading into the opening sequence of turns. The move resulted in both cars running wide off the track.
Although Leclerc managed to take the race lead through the maneuver, stewards subsequently penalized him with a five-second penalty for the incident. Hamilton lost track position during the exchange, ultimately falling back to third place behind Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen.
Vasseur Defends Scuderia Driver Strategy Amid Championship Push
Rather than expressing frustration over the Mexican Grand Prix incident, Vasseur mounted a firm defense of his team’s aggressive lineup. Acknowledging that running two elite talents who frequently qualify closely together will inevitably spark fierce intra-team battles, the team principal affirmed that the competitive benefits far outweigh the complications.
“We have two experienced guys, two competitive guys. There are now four or five races in a row that we are at the front, scoring the highest number of points after Monza and Madrid,”
he stated. “Then, for sure, you have a kind of escalation because you all want to win races. I think it’s probably the downside of the system, that we have two competitive guys starting each weekend next to each other.”
Vasseur emphasized that the team’s strong position in the team standings justifies the occasional friction on circuit: “But I think if we are P2 today, it’s also because we have two guys who are very, very close, and we have to manage it. But it’s a choice. It’s a choice in the line-up, and I have the positive and the negative, but I will deal with the negative.”
Why This Matters
Heading into the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Ferrari occupies second position in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship with 504 points, trailing championship leader Mercedes by 126 points. With both Leclerc and Hamilton frequently sharing adjacent rows on the starting grid, managing track position without throwing away critical championship points remains the highest operational challenge for Vasseur.
While the risk of further clashes remains high when two drivers actively chase victories, Ferrari’s consistent scoring run since Monza and Madrid underscores that having two proven frontrunners remains their strongest asset in cementing second place in the standings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Fred Vasseur agree to be the godfather to Charles Leclerc’s daughter?
No. When asked during the Friday press conference in Sao Paulo, Vasseur jokingly declined, stating he already has four children at home and does not wish to serve as godfather to his drivers’ children.
What happened between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in Mexico?
Leclerc attempted to overtake Hamilton into the opening corner of the Mexican Grand Prix, leading to both cars running wide. Leclerc seized the lead but received a five-second penalty from race officials, while Hamilton slipped behind Max Verstappen into third place.
Where does Ferrari stand in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship?
Ferrari currently sits in second place in the constructors’ standings with 504 points, trailing Mercedes by 126 points.
