Ross Brawn has called on Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc to “follow Lewis Hamilton’s example” and own up for their collision during the Brazilian Grand Prix.

On Lap 66 the pair fought over fourth place, only to make contact down the straight towards Turn 4 and end both of their races on the spot.

When asked for the reaction to how the crash unfolded, neither Leclerc or Vettel admitted responsibility, something Mercedes driver Hamilton did when he hit the Red Bull of Alex Albon on the penultimate lap.

With Hamilton immediately holding his hands up post-race, Brawn, formally Ferrari’s technical director, believes Vettel and Leclerc should take a leaf out of the Briton’s book.

“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,” Brawn said in his Brazil GP column.

“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.”

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said the matter would be discussed at the Italian team’s headquarters in Maranello. It marks the latest in a series of flashpoints between the two drivers during this season.

Brawn stressed the importance for Binotto to remind them that the team should always come first, no matter the situation.

“After tensions flared in the races following the summer break, everything seemed to have calmed down in the Ferrari dressing room,” added Brawn.

“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 Sunday’s race.”