Former F1 driver Timo Glock has urged Ferrari to step in and implement rules of engagement between its two drivers.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc endured a fierce wheel-to-wheel battle in China, with the former coming out on top en route to his first Ferrari podium.
However, it was Leclerc who finished ahead last Sunday at the Japanese Grand Prix, once again following a tense battle with his team-mate.
Glock has stated Ferrari must take action to protect its results as it seeks to close down leaders Mercedes, predicting the duo will come together if they are allowed to continue.
“The line should be drawn very clearly as soon as the team experiences a disadvantage,” Glock told Sky DE.
“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.
“Ferrari really needs to take a clear stand, because this was already on the edge.
“Within the teams, the rule of thumb is: a duel is fine, but contact is absolutely not the intention. Hamilton is obviously trying to improve his position.
“Based on my feeling, I think that sooner or later we will see these two back in the gravel pit after a collision.“
Hamilton has enjoyed a positive start to the new campaign, having endured a highly challenging debut season with Ferrari in 2025.
His pace hasn’t been lot on Glock, who stated: “Leclerc is still just a bit more consistently fast, but Hamilton is clearly back at the level where we all want to see him.
“He has confidence and fun in racing, even if the Brit wasn’t as competitive in Japan as he was in China.”
