Ferrari Driver Hierarchy Debate
Juan Pablo Montoya Urges Ferrari to Establish Clear Driver Hierarchy After Monza
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Key Points
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David Coulthard offered the opposing interpretation, arguing that Hamilton had failed to learn from his 2021 collision with Max Verstappen at the same section of Monza.
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The Ferrari drivers’ friction predates Monza: they battled closely in Australia and China, while Ferrari also declined to impose team orders during races at Spa and Zandvoort, decisions that contributed to the continuing dispute.
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Montoya said Ferrari chairman John Elkann should join team principal Frédéric Vasseur in addressing the drivers, telling BetBrothers that Vasseur should call Hamilton and Leclerc together in Italy and that Elkann “also has to be involved.”
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Hamilton leads Leclerc 8-5 in their 2026 Sunday intra-team results, in addition to his 36-point championship advantage, according to the report.
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Hamilton has also publicly criticized Ferrari’s recent race management, accusing the team of treating him like a “guinea pig” at Zandvoort and saying over team radio, “great way to waste time,” after Ferrari declined to make Leclerc yield track position before a pit stop.
Juan Pablo Montoya has sided with Lewis Hamilton over their first-lap clash at Monza, saying Hamilton left room while Charles Leclerc squeezed him off track and failed to show respect. Formula1.com reports Leclerc accepted blame for the incident, which sent Hamilton into the gravel and down to 10th place. Leclerc crashed two laps later. Hamilton recovered to sixth, extending his 36-point championship lead over his Ferrari teammate.
Montoya Calls for Ferrari to Name Hamilton No. 1
Montoya believes Ferrari must establish a clear driver hierarchy and prioritize Hamilton. He points to Hamilton's 36-point advantage and 8-5 head-to-head record in Sunday races against Leclerc in their 2026 battle. According to Montoya, Ferrari chairman John Elkann should join team principal Frédéric Vasseur in addressing both drivers together in Italy to resolve the escalating tension and prevent future collisions.
Vasseur Resists Naming Hamilton the Top Driver
Ferrari's team principal has resisted publicly naming Hamilton as the No. 1 driver despite the incident. The team continues to view Leclerc as central to its long-term plans. This reluctance frustrates those who see Hamilton's stronger recent results and mathematical advantage as clear grounds for hierarchy. The refusal has intensified criticism of Ferrari's management of the increasingly tense driver pairing.
Hamilton and Leclerc Hold Private Talks
Daily Mail reports Hamilton and Leclerc held face-to-face discussions following the Monza clash. TSN.ca quotes Hamilton saying, "We squashed it and we can move on." The private talks came before their next race. However, the broader question of Ferrari's team management and driver orders remains unresolved, with Hamilton previously criticizing the team's race strategy decisions at other circuits.
Friction Goes Beyond Monza
The drivers' tension predates Monza. They battled closely at Australia and China earlier in the season. Head to Topics notes Ferrari declined to impose team orders at Spa and Zandvoort, decisions that fueled ongoing friction. Hamilton also publicly accused Ferrari of treating him like a "guinea pig" at Zandvoort. He said over team radio, "great way to waste time," after Ferrari failed to make Leclerc yield track position before a pit stop, highlighting deeper frustration with team management.
Coulthard Disagrees with Montoya's Analysis
David Coulthard offered a contrasting view, arguing Hamilton failed to learn from his 2021 collision with Max Verstappen at the same Monza section. Coulthard suggests Hamilton's aggressive move mirrors past mistakes rather than a clean pass attempt. The debate reflects broader disagreement over whether Hamilton or Leclerc bears primary responsibility for the incident and what it signals about Ferrari's future driver management strategy.
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