Montoya: Leclerc must 'earn respect back' as another Hamilton clash looms

Juan Pablo Montoya believes it's only a matter of time before Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc collide again. The former F1 driver warned on F1 TV's Weekend Warm-Up that Leclerc must "earn that respect back" from Hamilton, predicting the pair won't give each other an inch.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's internal battle is no longer just about pride. With McLaren surging in the constructors' standings, any further clash between Hamilton and Leclerc could cost the team crucial points in its title fight. Team principal Fred Vasseur has so far refused to impose team orders, leaving the door open for more fireworks.

The details:

• Montoya said the two drivers "are going to get together again for sure," arguing that Leclerc needs to show Hamilton he's willing to play fair.
• If Leclerc doesn't, Montoya added, Hamilton will be "all out" — a warning that the seven-time champion won't back down.
• Hamilton has rebounded strongly in 2026 after a difficult 2025, securing his first win in red at Barcelona and now sitting third in the drivers' championship. Leclerc is fifth.
• Alex Brundle, also on the broadcast, pointed out that McLaren are "homing in" on Ferrari for the constructors' championship and have been strong recently.
• Brundle also noted Hamilton is under pressure from Lando Norris in the drivers' standings, adding that close qualifying gaps make an incident likely.

The big picture:

Ferrari currently hold second in the constructors' championship with 358 points, just 52 ahead of McLaren. With both drivers qualifying close together, the next on-track meeting could have major consequences for Ferrari's season — and for the relationship between its two star drivers.