Montoya predicts Hamilton and Leclerc will clash for Ferrari glory at Monza

Juan Pablo Montoya has warned that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are on a collision course at the Italian Grand Prix, predicting “a lot of drama” between the Ferrari team-mates as they chase a landmark win at Monza in front of the tifosi.

“Ferrari has done a really good job this year with the car,” Montoya said during F1 TV’s Weekend Warm-Up. “What we’re going to see is a lot of drama between the team-mates this week because whoever beats the other here, for them, it’s a big honour, especially if they have a shot of winning the race.”

Ferrari arrives at its home race with a revised livery paying tribute to Michael Schumacher and a genuine opportunity to challenge at the front. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli is serving a grid penalty this weekend, opening the door for Ferrari to contest recent race winner Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell for victory.

The backdrop to Monza is already charged. Ferrari drew criticism for withholding team orders at the Dutch Grand Prix, which prompted a series of frustrated radio messages from Hamilton. The seven-time champion later took responsibility for his reaction, acknowledging he had not shown the best version of himself — a move Montoya read as calculated rather than contrite.

“He’s just playing the game the right way,” Montoya said of Hamilton’s public statement. “He needs to come out publicly and say, ‘I was too emotional and everything.’ Well, I don’t think he really did either. He did the politically correct thing to do. He’s playing the game, and they’re all playing the game.”

Montoya also pointed to the symbolism surrounding Hamilton’s arrival at Monza — the Briton was seen with a Ferrari F40 ahead of the weekend — as a factor likely to sharpen Leclerc’s competitive instincts. “If you’re Charles and you see what Lewis did coming with the F40 and everything, it’s like, ‘Oh, I really need to beat him this week.’ Those are the opportunities that you really want to get ahead of your team-mate.”

In the championship standings, Hamilton sits 59 points behind Antonelli and is level on points with George Russell in second place. Leclerc is fifth, 87 points adrift of the leader. With the title fight tightening, a win at Ferrari’s spiritual home would carry significance well beyond the points on offer.