Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc started one place apart at the United States Grand Prix on Sunday.

After they both cleared Isack Hadjar, Leclerc brilliantly passed Max Verstappen through the Esses, and Hamilton almost followed him through.

Leclerc lost out to Verstappen later in the lap but showed superb pace to regain P2 in the closing stages. Hamilton, meanwhile, finished fourth, with his pursuit of the Red Bull thwarted by a late virtual safety car.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc must race like teammates, not rivals

Hamilton lacked Leclerc’s speed as he complained about understeer for much of the race, but perhaps his afternoon would have panned out differently if he had passed his teammate at the start.

The two Ferrari drivers got close as Hamilton tried a move around the outside of turn one, but Leclerc exited the corner with more momentum. Speaking to Dutch broadcaster Viaplay afterwards, the Monegasque called it a ‘very tight’ moment.

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Hamilton was still well alongside on the run to turn two, but he ducked out of the throttle and slotted in behind his teammate, who then proceeded to pass Verstappen.

While Leclerc’s stunning pass meant the intra-Ferrari battle was quickly forgotten, it was telling that Hamilton chose to yield.

“We know what the line is not to cross,” Leclerc said after qualifying, via Motorsport.com. “And again I think we’ve got some occasions throughout the year where I’ve crossed it, Lewis has crossed it, and we don’t want to see that – so this is clear.”

Leclerc admitted wrongdoing after the Italian GP, when he held off Hamilton for P3 at the start. His ruthless defensive driving left his teammate in the gravel and cost him six positions.

Fred Vasseur has eschewed written rules of engagement at Ferrari, but he confirmed that he held talks with both drivers after the race. They were reminded of the team’s ‘principles’.

The start in Austin felt like the first major test of whether that message had got through. It seems there is now a new rule at Ferrari where the drivers are expected to race like teammates, not rivals.

On that basis, the driver behind will likely be expected to back out of any risky moves at the start of the race.

One would think this would be obvious to two experienced drivers, but the intensity of Hamilton’s battle with supremacy with Leclerc has blurred the lines.

Vasseur has now made sure that the pair, who are now separated by just eight points in the standings, proceed with the appropriate caution.