The Italian Grand Prix at Monza turned into a frustrating weekend for Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton openly questioning the team’s approach after a first-lap clash with teammate Charles Leclerc. It's clear: the seven-time world champion is fed up with the lack of direction and the impact it's having on his championship aspirations.
Key Takeaways from Ferrari's Monza Meltdown:
- Lewis Hamilton finished sixth after an opening-lap clash with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc at Monza
- Hamilton criticised Ferrari for having “no rules” of engagement between its drivers
- The result left Hamilton 76 points behind Kimi Antonelli and 66 behind George Russell
- Ferrari now trails Mercedes by 122 points in the Constructors’ Championship
Hamilton Furious After Ferrari Clash at Monza
Leclerc pushed Hamilton into the gravel, sending the seven-time world champion from third to 10th before the race had properly settled. Hamilton eventually recovered to finish sixth, but the early incident had already damaged his race and further complicated his championship ambitions.
Leclerc’s own race also ended in frustration after he suffered a high-speed spin into the Parabolica barrier, adding to a chaotic home weekend for Ferrari.
Hamilton and Leclerc Disagree Over the Incident
Leclerc offered a diplomatic assessment of the clash, saying “we went too far.” Hamilton, however, was far more direct. “I was ahead in Turn 2. By the apex, I was ahead. There was no ‘we’ in it,” Hamilton said, making it clear that he believed responsibility lay with his teammate.
The seven-time world champion also stressed his commitment to clean racing and leaving enough space for other drivers. “I don't race dirty. I've always raced clean and fairly and always left space,” he added.
Ferrari’s “No Rules” Problem
Hamilton’s biggest frustration appears to extend beyond the Monza incident itself. The Ferrari driver has repeatedly raised concerns about the team’s strategic execution throughout the season, with the Dutch GP providing another example when he felt a potential podium slipped away because of indecision surrounding Leclerc and team orders.
At Monza, Hamilton compared Ferrari directly with his former team Mercedes, where he said there was a written rule of engagement between drivers. “Here, there are no rules,” Hamilton declared.
For Ferrari, the issue is bigger than an internal disagreement between two drivers. Poor execution and a lack of clear direction can directly affect the team’s position in the Constructors’ Championship, which also influences its share of commercial revenues.
Ferrari’s Championship Gap Keeps Growing
Hamilton’s sixth-place finish was another blow to his title hopes. He now trails Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli by 76 points and George Russell by 66 points, leaving him with significant ground to recover.
Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship challenge has also suffered, with the Scuderia now 122 points behind Mercedes. Team Principal Fred Vasseur therefore faces growing pressure to bring greater structure and consistency to the team.
Hamilton Calls for Ferrari to Change Direction
The disappointment was particularly painful for the Ferrari fans, with Hamilton acknowledging the frustration of the passionate tifosi at Monza. “Ultimately today, I feel massively gutted for the tifosi, who showed up for us today,” he said.
Hamilton also issued a clear warning about Ferrari’s current direction. “If we continue to travel the same path, we get the same result. We've got to change things because it's not helping us move forward.”
With problems ranging from qualifying slipstream coordination to race strategy and now driver relations, Ferrari must find a way to improve its execution if it wants to close the gap to Mercedes.
