Hamilton cites lack of Ferrari team rules after clash with Leclerc at Italian GP

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Lewis Hamilton revealed that Ferrari’s absence of written team rules contributed to a tense on-track battle with teammate Charles Leclerc during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The incident unfolded on the opening lap when Hamilton, starting from the second row on the soft tires, attempted an inside move on Leclerc into the first chicane. Leclerc held his line, resulting in slight contact that forced Hamilton onto the gravel and dropped him from sixth to eighth place. Leclerc later crashed out at Parabolica in a separate incident reminiscent of his 2020 accident.

Hamilton insisted he was ahead of Leclerc at the apex of Turn 2, stating firmly, “I was ahead in Turn 2 by the apex. I was ahead.” Despite the clash, Hamilton emphasized his commitment to clean racing, saying, “I don’t race dirty. I’ve always raced clean and fairly and always left space.” He expressed confidence that he respects the team’s interests and does not jeopardize their points haul.

The seven-time world champion also criticized Ferrari’s operational execution throughout the 2026 season, pointing to missed opportunities in qualifying and race strategy. “A lot of points have fallen through in qualifying, we see it repeatedly,” Hamilton said. “Today was probably a good opportunity to have two cars at the front to get a lot of points.” He made clear that decisions beyond his control are handled by Team Principal Fred Vasseur.

Hamilton drew a direct comparison to his previous team, Mercedes, where he said a written “rule of engagement” helped avoid intra-team clashes. “When I was at Mercedes, we had a written rule of engagement. So, we never really had too bad,” he explained. “Here there are no rules. And I think that’s something that needs to try and fix up.” However, he quickly tempered his critique, signaling a desire to maintain team harmony.

With Ferrari’s championship hopes still alive but fragile, the lack of clear protocols between Hamilton and Leclerc raises questions about how the Scuderia will manage its drivers going forward. The team will need to address these internal tensions to maximize their points haul as the season progresses. Meanwhile, Hamilton remains focused on extracting performance from the car and pushing the team to improve its operational consistency.