Former Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has sided with Lewis Hamilton following the controversial clash with Charles Leclerc at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, warning that the behaviour of the two Ferrari drivers at both Monza and Mexico should prompt serious reflection within the team. The former Maranello chief believes Ferrari missed a valuable opportunity to win in Mexico and suggests that Lewis Hamilton could have taken victory without the problems encountered at the beginning of the race.
The comments have added another prominent voice to the growing debate surrounding Ferrari’s internal rivalry, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc increasingly involved in confrontations both on the circuit and over team radio. With attention already turning towards the 2027 Formula 1 season, questions are emerging about how the Scuderia will manage its drivers if it finally has a car capable of challenging for the World Championship.
Luca di Montezemolo backs Lewis Hamilton after Ferrari’s Mexico GP clash
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, former Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo made his position clear, expressing disappointment at the opportunity lost in Mexico and highlighting the incidents involving the two drivers at the start of recent Grands Prix.
“Obviously, I was hoping Antonelli would become world champion, but I was also counting on Hamilton winning the Grand Prix, which could have happened without the problems at the start. Unfortunately, I believe Ferrari missed a good opportunity, with all due respect to an extraordinary Verstappen. What I saw at Monza on the first lap, and also yesterday on the first lap between the two Ferrari drivers, should make people think.”
His remarks follow another difficult episode in the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, whose opening-lap confrontation in Mexico had significant consequences for Ferrari’s hopes of victory.
The incident has already attracted criticism and renewed questions over the team’s approach to managing its drivers. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has also called for greater respect following the confrontation between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, with the events in Mexico intensifying scrutiny of the Scuderia’s internal dynamics.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc rivalry raises concerns for 2027
The battle between Ferrari’s two drivers can also be viewed in the context of their ambitions for the 2027 Formula 1 season. With hopes that Maranello will finally produce a championship-contending car, the struggle to establish superiority within the team has taken on greater significance.
The strengths of the SF-26 chassis have become increasingly apparent, while the power unit is regarded as the missing ingredient in Ferrari’s pursuit of a more competitive overall package. The Scuderia is also expected to have another two ADUO development opportunities available in 2027.
Against that background, the increasingly intense on-track and radio exchanges between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton can be interpreted as part of a wider battle for internal supremacy. Both drivers have an obvious interest in establishing themselves as Ferrari’s leading contender before a season in which the World Championship could potentially be within reach.
However, the consequences of that rivalry have already proved costly. In Mexico, Ferrari’s internal confrontation contributed to the loss of an opportunity to fight for victory, with the possibility of an even stronger team result slipping away.
The latest controversy has also revived comparisons with the events at Monza, where the relationship between the two drivers had already attracted attention. The recurring nature of these incidents has prompted concerns about Ferrari’s repeated clashes at Monza and Mexico and their potential consequences for the team’s future ambitions.
Could Ferrari’s internal battle undermine its World Championship ambitions?
The central concern is that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may be attempting to secure an advantage over each other at the expense of Ferrari’s collective objectives. Establishing a clear position within the team could become particularly valuable if the 2027 car proves capable of fighting for the Drivers’ Championship.
For the two drivers, the rivalry is also part of a broader competitive relationship that can be followed through their 2026 Ferrari head-to-head statistics, covering their respective performances throughout the season.
Yet the events in Mexico have demonstrated the risks associated with allowing that competition to develop without sufficient regard for the team’s wider interests. The possibility of losing victories or even one-two finishes becomes particularly significant when considering Ferrari’s ambitions for 2027.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo’s intervention therefore adds to the pressure surrounding Ferrari’s management of its two drivers. By siding with Lewis Hamilton and drawing attention to the incidents at Monza and Mexico, the former president has made clear that the Scuderia should reflect on what has happened.
With Ferrari hoping to turn its current technical potential into a genuine World Championship challenge, the relationship between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton could become just as important as the performance of the car itself.
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