News Summary
- Charles Leclerc admitted he went too far against Lewis Hamilton at Monza but said both drivers have crossed the line during 2026.
- The Monegasque believes incidents involving Ferrari receive disproportionate attention compared with similar battles elsewhere.
- Leclerc said Ferrari’s racing principles are already clear and rejected the need for written rules between the teammates.
Charles Leclerc has accepted responsibility for his first-lap clash with Lewis Hamilton at Monza but rejected the suggestion that the incident exposed a deeper crisis between Ferrari’s Formula 1 drivers.
Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan GP, Leclerc acknowledged that both he and Hamilton have occasionally exceeded the limits during their battles. However, he argued that open discussion—not a formal rulebook—is the most important tool for managing their rivalry.
“Of course, there have been moments where I went too far, where Lewis went too far, but I think the key in that is to discuss,” Leclerc said during Wednesday’s FIA press conference in Baku.
“I’ve been with Ferrari since 2019 now, and I know how everything we do is over-analysed, over-discussed and very often the conclusions that are taken after those kinds of fights are the wrong ones.”
Leclerc and Hamilton collided while fighting through Monza’s opening chicane. Hamilton was pushed into the gravel and lost several positions, while Leclerc later retired following a heavy crash at Parabolica.
The Monegasque subsequently admitted that he had gone too far and told Hamilton directly that his conduct was not how a teammate should behave. The pair cleared the air before the Spanish GP, with Hamilton saying that “nothing lingers” after their internal discussions.
Leclerc says Ferrari rivalry is being exaggerated
The latest comments are less an attempt to withdraw that apology than a challenge to the wider interpretation of the incident.
Leclerc maintained that the competitive relationship remains healthy because both drivers understand that Ferrari’s interests ultimately come first.
“We both want to win and there’s competition, but we also want to win as a team and to make Ferrari come out on top eventually. That is the priority,” he said.
“I enjoyed fighting with Lewis, and that’s what’s exciting in Formula 1—to be fighting against the best. Lewis is definitely up there, so for me it’s a big challenge, but I’m enjoying it.”
Leclerc’s frustration centres on the level of attention given to Ferrari whenever its drivers fight. He noted that several leading teams experienced tense moments between teammates at Monza, yet the Ferrari clash continued to dominate discussion.
“When you look at Monza, the four top teams, three of them had fights like this with the car finishing in the grass,” he explained.
“At the end of the day, the only thing we are speaking about still now is the red cars, which I don’t think is fair.”
That argument has some merit: every disagreement involving Ferrari carries additional weight because of the team’s history, audience and political importance within F1. The arrival of Hamilton has magnified that effect, placing every strategic call, radio message and wheel-to-wheel confrontation under greater scrutiny.
Ferrari does not need written rules, says Leclerc
Hamilton initially criticised Ferrari’s management of its drivers after the Monza clash, contrasting the situation with the formal agreements used during his time at Mercedes.
Team principal Frédéric Vasseur later insisted that Ferrari’s principles for Hamilton and Leclerc were already clear. Leclerc has now supported that position.
“Turn 2 in Monza is something that I’ve said repeatedly is not something we want to see ever happen again,” he said.
“I think it’s pretty clear that we don’t necessarily have to write those things. It’s clear enough.”
Ferrari intends to allow its drivers to race while neither has been formally removed from championship contention. That freedom makes further difficult moments possible, but Leclerc believes communication between himself, Hamilton and the team is sufficient to prevent individual rivalry from becoming destructive.
The controversy also arrives during a period of broader scrutiny at Maranello. Hamilton recently denied asking Ferrari to replace members of his trackside team, while defending the employees around him and calling for the operation to improve collectively.
Ferrari’s next test comes in Baku, where the narrow walls, long straights and limited margin for error will punish any renewed internal dispute. The 2026 Azerbaijan GP will unusually take place on Saturday, September 26.
F1 today: FAQ
FAQ
What time is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
The race starts on Saturday at 12:00 UK, 07:00 ET and 15:00 local time in Baku. Qualifying begins on Friday at 13:00 UK and 08:00 ET.
Why is the Azerbaijan GP being held on Saturday?
The race was moved forward because Sunday, 27 September, is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The full weekend shifted, with practice on Thursday and qualifying on Friday.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 F1 championship in Baku?
No. Antonelli leads George Russell by 81 points, but cannot secure the title in Azerbaijan. Singapore is his earliest mathematical opportunity.
What happened between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at Monza?
The Ferrari drivers fought through the opening chicane on the first lap. Leclerc forced Hamilton into the gravel, costing the Briton several positions, before later accepting responsibility for going too far.
