Ferrari's Mexico GP unraveled on the opening lap when Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton battled each other instead of protecting a 1-2 start, handing Max Verstappen the win on a track where overtaking is nearly impossible. Team principal Fred Vasseur called it a "lack of respect" for the 2000 people at Maranello who had worked to get the car to the front. This crossed a different line than earlier clashes at Zandvoort and Monza—the drivers put self-interest ahead of a certain victory. Hamilton emphasized the team player obligation in their contracts and said action must be taken. Leclerc saw it differently, claiming Hamilton was equally aggressive. Vasseur promises a sit-down before Brazil, but Hamilton questions whether rules of engagement will change anything. The tension between Ferrari's drivers isn't cooling down, and with the constructors' championship tightening, they can't afford another blown result. Championship mathematics demand they function as a team, not rivals.
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