Timo Glock believes Charles Leclerc’s hard defense on Lewis Hamilton in Austin was revenge for Baku. Former F1 driver Timo Glock on Charles Leclerc’s strong defense against Lewis Hamilton in Austin.

During the exciting United States Grand Prix in Austin, where Ferrari secured a solid third and fourth place finish, fans witnessed an intense on-track battle between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The duel took place on lap 22, as Charles Leclerc was nearing the end of his stint on the soft tires while Lewis Hamilton was running on mediums. The British driver made a move to overtake, but the Monegasque firmly shut the door, defending his position with authority and holding onto third place. To ease the situation between its drivers, Ferrari quickly called Charles Leclerc into the pits at the end of the same lap.

Former F1 driver and current Sky Deutschland commentator Timo Glock shared his own interpretation of the episode that unfolded in Texas. “Hamilton and Leclerc didn’t swap positions in Baku, and perhaps this was Charles’ way of getting revenge,” Timo Glock suggested, pointing to possible lingering tension between the two Ferrari teammates following that earlier race.

Despite the hard defense, Lewis Hamilton showed no signs of frustration after the race. Instead, the British driver focused on the team’s strategic differences rather than criticizing Charles Leclerc’s on-track behavior, suggesting a mature approach to Ferrari’s internal dynamics during a demanding race weekend.

The world championship fight

Glock also gave his opinion on the ongoing fight for the drivers’ world championship, noting how unpredictable the season has become. “The entire McLaren camp seems nervous right now,” he explained. “There are tracks where Mercedes suddenly looks competitive, or where Ferrari becomes very strong. That’s the biggest challenge for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris — other teams are constantly taking points away. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen is simply too dominant to be put under any real pressure.”

The former German driver’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment in the paddock — while Ferrari and Mercedes continue to make progress, Red Bull and Max Verstappen remain the benchmark. For Glock, Charles Leclerc’s fierce defense against Lewis Hamilton is just another sign that Ferrari’s internal rivalry is heating up at a crucial stage of the season, even as the team continues to chase consistency and podium finishes.