Ferrari must control Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to avoid collisions
Former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock has warned Ferrari management they must intervene to control on-track battles between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to prevent a collision this season.
The two prominent drivers have already engaged in several fierce, wheel-to-wheel duels during the opening rounds of the new campaign.
Recent races at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix saw the pair racing side-by-side, creating thrilling spectacles for fans but raising concerns over potential team detriment.
“The line should be drawn very clearly as soon as the team experiences a disadvantage,” Glock told Sky Deutschland.
Fears of a gravel pit collision
While the seven-time world champion secured his first podium for the Scuderia in China, it was his Monegasque team-mate who claimed the top-three finish during their subsequent scrap in Japan.
Glock believes team principal Frederic Vasseur must establish clear boundaries when inter-team fighting drains battery power or costs valuable track position.
“If the two get in each other’s way and lose battery power, and the team ends up losing positions because of that, then the team management has to intervene,” the German added.
The former Toyota driver expressed concern that without firm guidelines, the intense rivalry will inevitably result in a damaging incident.
“Based on my feeling, I think that sooner or later we will see these two back in the gravel pit after a collision.”
Vasseur welcomes healthy competition
Despite outside concern and minor contact between the cars in recent weeks, Ferrari’s hierarchy remains outwardly relaxed about the dynamic.
Hamilton notably struggled with a lack of outright speed during the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing sixth while watching the sister car battle Mercedes driver George Russell for the podium.
However, Vasseur insists he is perfectly content with his drivers pushing each other to the absolute limit.
“As long as we have the two cars at the end, yes, I’m happy,” the Frenchman explained.
The team boss emphasised that having both vehicles fighting near the front of the grid is a welcome problem for the Italian constructor.
“I’m very pleased with this – they have huge respect between them and they know perfectly that it’s Ferrari first.”
