The 2026 Italian grand prix at Monza was a day of high expectations and crushing disappointments for Ferrari. The iconic team, backed by passionate Tifosi, aimed for victory but faced a series of setbacks that left them far from the podium.
Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, found himself in a tough spot from the very start. A first-corner incident with teammate Charles Leclerc sent him spinning into the gravel, dropping him to the fringes of the top 10. Meanwhile, Leclerc’s race ended abruptly when he crashed at the Parabolica corner on Lap 2, bringing out a red flag.
The First-Corner Fiasco
The incident between Hamilton and Leclerc at the first corner set the tone for Ferrari’s challenging day. Hamilton, starting fourth, moved up the inside of Leclerc but found himself in the gravel on the exit of Turn 2. This mishap dropped the seven-time World Champion to the fringes of the top 10.
Leclerc, who had been defending his position with force, later commented on the incident. “With Lewis, it was a way too close into Turn 1, and unfortunately in Turn 2 – I don’t know if we had contact or whatsoever,” he said. “I was quite a lot on the inside curve and tried to make the corner, which I didn’t do it tight enough.”
Leclerc’s Crash and the Red Flag
Leclerc’s race came to an early end when he lost control of his Ferrari SF-26 at the Parabolica corner, suffering a heavy impact into the barriers. This incident brought out a red flag, suspending the race while repairs were undertaken. It marked the second consecutive race to be halted early, following Max Verstappen‘s accident at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
At the time of the race’s suspension, George Russell led the race, followed by Pierre Gasly and Verstappen. Hamilton was eighth, with title leader Kimi Antonelli having risen from 19th on the grid to 12th place.
Hamilton’s Struggle and Tactical Errors
After the restart, Hamilton faced an uphill battle. Starting on the medium tyre, he initially battled Oscar Piastri’s McLaren for fourth place. However, unlike other drivers who pitted under a mid-race Virtual Safety Car, Hamilton did not. This decision cost him dearly, as he lost further positions to Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen, and Lando norris, ultimately finishing sixth.
“A bit devastating. Tough one to swallow. Lost a lot of points and ultimately couldn’t keep a Mercedes engine behind,” Hamilton admitted. “I think we probably chose the wrong tyre. Whether that really would have made much difference, maybe we would have been able to hold onto them a bit longer but they just kept flying past us. They were just quicker today.”
The tactical errors extended beyond tyre choices. Ferrari’s struggle with tow tactics in qualifying highlighted a lack of decisive teamwork plans. Hamilton noted that the team was solely focused on trying to get an equal tow for Leclerc’s lap, which affected his own qualifying performance.
The Road Ahead
As Ferrari looks ahead to the remaining races of the season, the team faces a critical juncture. Hamilton emphasized the need for better communication and procedural changes to avoid repeating the same mistakes. “We continue to travel the same path to get the same result, and we keep getting the same result. We’ve got to change things because this is not helping us move forward,” he said.
Team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the need for discussion but remained cautious about making immediate changes. “We have time to discuss with the guys,” he said. However, the pressure is on for Ferrari to find a solution and return to the strong team performance and precise execution shown only in flashes this season.
For Hamilton, the title race against Kimi Antonelli remains a daunting challenge. With 76 points adrift and 10 races to go, the Briton is realistic but not ready to throw in the towel. “It’s never over ’till it’s over,” he said, echoing the sentiment that defines his fighting spirit.
