Hamilton-Leclerc Monza clash fuels Ferrari debate

Hamilton finished sixth after first-lap contact with Leclerc at Monza, with Ferrari’s team-order debate resurfacing as Hamilton sat third on 191 points.

Lewis Hamilton’s first-lap clash with Charles Leclerc at Monza has renewed scrutiny on Ferrari’s handling of its drivers. Autosport and Motorsport.com reported that Hamilton finished sixth after contact with Leclerc on the opening lap of the Italian Grand Prix, with both Ferraris starting from the second row at the team’s home race.

BBC Sport reported that Hamilton said it was too late for Ferrari to make him the priority in the drivers’ championship fight. He was third in the 2026 standings on 191 points heading into Monza, while Leclerc was fifth on 155. Formula1.com reported that Hamilton described Ferrari’s home result as hard to accept after a difficult weekend.

Motorsport.com also reported that team principal Fred Vasseur said the incident was not good for Ferrari, while Leclerc rejected suggestions of a rivalry narrative after the clash. Ferrari, Formula 1’s longest-running constructor, is in its 77th season and has 250 wins and 16 constructors’ titles.