Brawn: Ferrari drivers should own up like Hamilton did

Formula 1 motorsport chief Ross Brawn believes Ferrari’s drivers should follow Lewis Hamilton’s example by taking responsibility for their race-ending collision at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc crashed into each other while squabbling over fourth position in the closing stages of Sunday’s race at Interlagos, with both drivers forced into retirement with damage to their cars.

Scuderia boss Mattia Binotto described the clash as a “silly action” and has summoned his drivers to review the matter behind closed doors at its Maranello headquarters.

Speaking in F1’s post-race media pass, Brawn reckons Vettel and Leclerc should admit to their error in a similar manner to that displayed by six-time world champion Hamilton, who immediately admitted his late tangle with Red Bull’s Alexander Albon was “completely my fault”.

“It’s never nice when team-mates knock one another out of a race, even more so when it’s not even a particularly important result that goes begging, as in this case, third place in Brazil was the most they could aspire to,” Brawn said.

“After tensions flared in the races following the summer break, everything seemed to have calmed down in the Ferrari dressing room. But now, Mattia Binotto faces the tough task of getting things back on track and indeed he said just that in his interviews after the race.

“He had to get stuck in and tell the drivers to face up to their responsibilities, which in Maranello always means putting the interests of the team ahead of those of the individual, which was not the case in the race.

“I wouldn’t want to venture an opinion on who was most at fault for the collision, but in the cold light of day, maybe it would be good if one of them will follow Hamilton’s example and immediately admit culpability, as the champion did regarding his clash with Albon,” he added.

“If Ferrari really wants to put an end to Mercedes’ dominance, not only does it need to provide its drivers with a more competitive car next year, it must also ensure that incidents like this one are not repeated.

“Formula 1 is a team sport, especially so in Maranello.”