Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has expressed doubts about Charles Leclerc’s latest attempt to reverse his difficult run of form at Ferrari, warning that adopting Lewis Hamilton’s preferred setup and braking configuration may not deliver the breakthrough the Monegasque driver is hoping for.
The debate comes in the aftermath of a frustrating Monaco Grand Prix weekend for Charles Leclerc, whose race ended prematurely following a crash at Turn 18. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Charles Leclerc publicly pointed to the braking system as a possible contributing factor, raising concerns about the performance of Ferrari’s long-standing supplier, Brembo.
Those comments quickly generated discussion across the Formula 1 paddock. Brembo firmly rejected the suggestion that its equipment was responsible for the accident and argued that conclusions had been drawn before a complete technical analysis had been carried out.
Ferrari subsequently conducted its own internal investigation and reportedly found no evidence of a brake failure. Instead, the team concluded that the incident was linked to operating conditions following the Safety Car restart, with Charles Leclerc allegedly unable to bring the brakes into the optimal temperature window before the decisive moment.
Despite Ferrari’s findings, Charles Leclerc remained unconvinced that the current brake package was providing the consistency and confidence he requires. As a result, Ferrari is expected to allow him to switch to the same Carbon Industrie brake materials that Lewis Hamilton has been using, a move designed to help the Monégasque driver find greater confidence behind the wheel and reduce the performance gap to his teammate.
Juan Pablo Montoya doubts brake switch will solve Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari problems
While many drivers are willing to experiment with technical changes when results are not meeting expectations, Juan Pablo Montoya believes the situation may be more complex than simply adopting the same components used by Lewis Hamilton.
Speaking during F1TV’s coverage ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Juan Pablo Montoya suggested that momentum can quickly become a major factor in Formula 1. According to the former Williams and McLaren driver, difficult weekends have a tendency to create additional pressure, making it increasingly challenging for drivers to regain confidence and rhythm.
Juan Pablo Montoya noted that Charles Leclerc was arriving in Barcelona after a particularly disappointing Monaco Grand Prix and warned that another difficult weekend could further complicate matters.
The Colombian also highlighted the significance of the planned brake change. While many observers have viewed the switch to Lewis Hamilton’s preferred Carbon Industrie setup as a logical step, Juan Pablo Montoya argued that driver familiarity should not be underestimated.
His view was that Charles Leclerc has spent the overwhelming majority of his Ferrari career adapting his driving style around Brembo brakes. After nearly eight seasons with the Italian team, the braking characteristics, pedal feel, and response generated by that system have become deeply embedded in Charles Leclerc’s driving instincts.
By contrast, Lewis Hamilton arrived at Ferrari with years of experience using Carbon Industrie materials throughout much of his Formula 1 career. Juan Pablo Montoya therefore questioned whether simply copying Lewis Hamilton’s solution would automatically produce the same benefits for Charles Leclerc.
He suggested that the two systems deliver very different sensations from the cockpit and indicated that he was far from convinced that the brake change alone would provide the answer to Charles Leclerc’s recent struggles.
Charles Leclerc now moving closer to Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari setup philosophy
The brake discussion is only one element of a broader shift taking place inside Ferrari. During media activities ahead of the Barcelona weekend, Charles Leclerc revealed that Ferrari had intentionally pursued different setup directions for its two drivers during recent events.
However, after several challenging race weekends and inconsistent performances, Charles Leclerc acknowledged that the team is now gradually moving toward a configuration that more closely resembles the one preferred by Lewis Hamilton.
The Ferrari driver explained that running different setup concepts had originally been a deliberate team strategy. Nevertheless, he admitted that the last two race weekends had proven more difficult than expected, prompting a reassessment of the direction being taken.
Charles Leclerc stressed that his primary objective is not necessarily a dramatic change in performance characteristics, but rather greater consistency under braking. He indicated that predictable and repeatable braking behaviour is currently the most important requirement for him as Ferrari continues searching for solutions.
The emotional impact of the Monaco Grand Prix also played a role in his mindset heading into Spain. Charles Leclerc admitted that racing on home soil carries a unique significance compared to other events on the Formula 1 calendar. Although the championship points available are identical, the personal importance of Monaco means setbacks there are often more difficult to process.
As a result, Charles Leclerc acknowledged that recovering from the disappointment of Monaco had taken longer than it would after a typical race weekend. Nevertheless, he also emphasized his eagerness to return to the cockpit and immediately focus on rebuilding momentum.
Lewis Hamilton’s growing influence at Ferrari becoming increasingly visible
One of the most intriguing developments inside Ferrari during the 2026 Formula 1 season has been the increasing influence of Lewis Hamilton’s feedback on the development and setup direction of the car.
After initially facing a challenging adaptation period following his high-profile move from Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton has shown increasingly competitive form in recent races. His growing comfort with Ferrari machinery has coincided with stronger performances, encouraging the team to pay close attention to the technical direction that suits the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion.
Charles Leclerc himself acknowledged the strength of Lewis Hamilton’s recent performances, admitting that his teammate has been operating at a very high level. He also suggested that the characteristics of Ferrari’s current car appear to suit Lewis Hamilton more effectively than the previous generation of Ferrari machinery.
As Ferrari continues its fight at the front of the Formula 1 grid, the coming races could prove crucial in determining whether Charles Leclerc’s decision to move closer to Lewis Hamilton’s setup philosophy helps unlock additional performance—or whether Juan Pablo Montoya’s concerns ultimately prove justified.
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