Juan Pablo Montoya, the ex‑F1 star, says a fresh showdown between Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is inevitable, urging the Monegasque to win back respect.
Ferrari’s internal drama has dominated chatter all season. Hamilton struggled after his 2025 debut, but his 2026 comeback delivered a maiden win in red at Barcelona‑Catalunya. The Brit now sits third in the drivers’ standings, while Leclerc holds fifth.
Fans have clamoured for Ferrari to crown Hamilton as number one and impose team orders, yet team principal Fred Vasseur insists on parity between the pair. In my view, Vasseur’s equal‑treatment gamble could cost Ferrari the title.
Montoya was asked on F1 TV’s Weekend Warm‑Up if the tension had cooled.
They’ll meet again, and neither will concede an inch.
Leclerc must give Hamilton space, and the Brit will think, ‘I was fair, you weren’t.’ If Charles fails to prove his intent, Hamilton will go all‑out, no doubt.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Alex Brundle, alongside Montoya, noted, ‘It’ll be fascinating to watch. They need to sort it out because McLaren is closing in on the constructors’ title, having been strong lately.’
He added, ‘Lewis feels pressure from Lando in the drivers’ race, so there’s plenty at stake if they clash each weekend. Their qualifying gaps are slim, so a showdown is likely.’
Ferrari currently sit second in the constructors’ championship with 358 points, trailing McLaren’s 306 in third.
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– The Team