The tension between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Monza hasn't gone unnoticed, and now Carlos Sainz has decided to have his say. The former Ferrari driver, who lined up alongside Leclerc from 2021 to 2024, reckons there's a special responsibility that comes with racing for the Scuderia at their home circuit. After Hamilton attempted an aggressive move on Leclerc at Turn 1 last weekend and ended up off the track, the British driver suggested there were no clear team orders in place and that he deserved preferential treatment based on his championship position. Leclerc fired back, accusing the media of creating narratives around the situation.

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Sainz knows this territory well. He battled Leclerc wheel-to-wheel at Monza in 2023, eventually outdueling his teammate for third place in what was an intense fight. Speaking to media about the current situation, he emphasized that competitive teammates clashing is part of the game at a top team, but there's something different about Ferrari and Monza. He explained that he and Leclerc would frequently have disagreements during the season, but they'd sort things out quickly afterward. The key, according to Sainz, is understanding the weight of representing the Scuderia at their spiritual home.

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The Spanish driver acknowledged that when you're fighting for podiums and wins at a competitive outfit, friction is inevitable. Strategy calls, on-track positioning, and the heat of the moment all contribute to these situations happening regularly. But Sainz felt that at Monza specifically, Ferrari drivers need to carry themselves differently. You feel an extra responsibility not to damage the other red car because it's Monza, he said, suggesting this goes beyond the normal rules of motorsport. It's something that sits in the back of your mind every time you're battling your teammate around Autodromo Nazionale.

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Valtteri Bottas, who spent time as Hamilton's teammate at Mercedes, also weighed in on the rules of engagement debate. While he kept things vague due to contractual confidentiality, Bottas confirmed that every team operates differently but emphasized the importance of racing fair and clean. He noted that sometimes you benefit from those rules, and sometimes you don't, which is just how the sport works. Both former teammates seem to agree that clarity and maturity are essential when navigating these sensitive situations at a winning team.

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