Charles Leclerc vs Lewis Hamilton battles spark concern: “A crash is only a matter of time”. Timo Glock warns that the intense on-track battles between Ferrari teammates.

Leclerc vs Hamilton battle heating up inside Ferrari

Three clues make a pattern, and after the Sprint in China, the Shanghai Grand Prix, and the race weekend in Suzuka, the wheel-to-wheel battles between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are continuing to raise tensions inside the Scuderia Ferrari garage. Even though in Japan the fight was limited to just a couple of high-intensity moments — with the Monegasque clearly having the upper hand and pulling away once he overtook his teammate — Leclerc himself admitted in the post-race cooldown room with Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri that he had come very close to making contact with Hamilton, even fearing a puncture at one stage.

According to former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock, this type of scenario could soon escalate into something more serious if Ferrari does not step in and manage the situation more firmly from the pit wall.

Timo Glock’s warning over Ferrari’s internal battle

“There needs to be a very clear line drawn,” Glock explained to Sky Germany, “when the team finds itself at a disadvantage. If the two cars start getting in each other’s way, wasting battery energy, and risking losing positions as a result of these battles, then I believe Ferrari management has to step in. The team must make a clear decision in these kinds of situations, because I think both drivers are really pushing beyond the limit. The rule inside the garage at the moment seems to be that a battle is fine, but contact is unacceptable.”

However, Timo Glock believes that a collision could become an inevitable outcome unless decisive action is taken by the Ferrari pit wall. At the same time, as suggested by his former colleague and Sky Germany pundit Ralf Schumacher, there is also the possibility that Lewis Hamilton’s contract includes a clause preventing team orders in favor of Charles Leclerc.

“My instinct tells me,” Glock concluded, “that at some point we will see the two end up in the gravel after a collision on track. Charles Leclerc is currently a bit more consistent and faster than Lewis Hamilton, but Lewis is returning to the level we all want to see. He has confidence and is enjoying driving again.”

In summary, the internal dynamics at Maranello are reaching a critical boiling point as the 2026 season progresses. While the rivalry between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton provides a thrilling spectacle for the fans, Timo Glock’s warning highlights the thin line between healthy competition and catastrophic team-mates colliding. As the team moves toward the next rounds, the management’s ability to balance Hamilton’s resurgent confidence with Leclerc’s current pace advantage will be the ultimate test of Ferrari’s stability. If Glock’s “gravel” prophecy comes true, the fallout could define the Scuderia’s championship aspirations for years to come.