Ferrari told to 'leave Leclerc alone' rather than hold formal talks amid Hamilton battle

Former team principal Otmar Szafnauer has urged Ferrari to resist formal intervention and simply support Charles Leclerc as the Monegasque fights to close the gap to Lewis Hamilton in their intense 2026 intra-team battle. With Hamilton sitting second in the championship and Leclerc fourth, 81 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli, the Scuderia faces a tricky dilemma in managing two drivers on divergent trajectories.

Why it matters:

Leclerc started the season strongly, winning two of the first three wheel-to-wheel battles against Hamilton, but the momentum has since swung toward the seven-time champion. Hamilton's victory in Barcelona underlined the shift, coming as Leclerc crashed in qualifying and later retired with a hydraulic failure. How Ferrari handles this dynamic could decide whether the team channels its energy into a cohesive title push or risks seeing its championship hopes split from within.

The details:

• Quiet support: Szafnauer, formerly of Alpine and Racing Point, insisted Ferrari should avoid formal conversations about Leclerc's form. "Leave him alone," he said, arguing that support trumps speeches when a driver is struggling.
• Signs of recovery: Leclerc has rallied recently, taking victory at the British Grand Prix and finishing ahead of Hamilton across three consecutive races to cut the deficit to 31 points.
• Technical roots: Ex-Ferrari strategist Rob Smedley believes Leclerc was "slightly lost" adapting to the all-new machinery. The team switched Leclerc to Carbone Industries brake pads and discs after his Monaco crash, a change made ahead of Barcelona.
• Championship reality: Despite Leclerc's recent gains, Hamilton remains the stronger bet for a title challenge, leaving Ferrari to balance immediate ambition with long-term harmony.

Between the lines:

Leclerc's post-Monaco resurgence suggests his struggles were partly technical rather than purely mental. By finishing ahead of Hamilton in three straight races after the brake change, he has shown the gap is closable without heavy-handed team interference. If Ferrari resists the urge to micromanage and lets Leclerc race free of added pressure, the championship fight could yet evolve into a genuine three-way contest.