Ferrari urged to set clear rules for Hamilton-Leclerc rivalry

Former F1 driver Timo Glock has warned Ferrari that it must establish clear 'rules of engagement' between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to avoid a costly collision. The call comes after two consecutive races where the teammates engaged in fierce, wheel-to-wheel battles, with Glock predicting a trip to the gravel trap is inevitable if the team does not intervene to protect its overall results.

Why it matters:

With Ferrari locked in a tight battle to catch the leading Mercedes team, every point is critical. Internal battles that risk car damage or lost positions directly undermine the team's constructors' championship ambitions. Establishing clear parameters allows drivers to race hard while prioritizing the team's collective success over individual intra-team glory.

The details:

• Glock's comments follow intense on-track duels in China and Japan, where Hamilton and Leclerc fought aggressively but cleanly for position.
• The former driver stated the team must draw a clear line "as soon as the team experiences a disadvantage," such as losing battery power or track position during their fights.
• He emphasized the universal team principle: "a duel is fine, but contact is absolutely not the intention."
• Glock observed that Hamilton is "obviously trying to improve his position" and is back at a competitive level, showing confidence and enjoyment in racing, even if his pace in Japan wasn't as strong as in China.
• He still views Leclerc as "a bit more consistently fast" but believes Hamilton has returned to the high performance level expected of him.

What's next:

The pressure is on Ferrari's team management to define the boundaries for their star duo. If they take a passive approach, Glock's prediction of a collision could become a self-fulfilling prophecy, handing valuable points to their rivals. Proactively setting rules allows both drivers to understand the limits, ensuring their battles add spectacle without subtracting from the team's championship points.